The play chosen for 1986 was The Cherry Orchard. Its large cast of characters enabled many students to take part. The production explored the blend of modern themes with those contemporary to Chekhov. The physically comic aspects of some of the characters were emphasised in order to help the audience to understand the plot and provide entertainment for non-Russian speakers.
Left: This special edition of Slavonica was produced by students to accompany the production, and featured articles on Chekhov and the Moscow Art Theatre. It also covered the first performances of the play in 1906 and the reaction to it, as well as an interview with director Cynthia Marsh entitled “Stanislavsky, eat your heart out!”
Right: The cast of The Cherry Orchard on stage. Back row, left to right: Helen Bailey; Clare Thursfield; Leigh Mayes; Jasmine Creese; Vanessa Piggot; Peter Holding; Philip Mitchell; Nick Stansfield; Monika Sangl; Fiona Reed and Roger Ringrose. Front row: Melanie Sefton and David Rowson.