The Princess
by Anton Chekhov
Cast and Crew
Directed by Rena Polley
Cast Susan Coyne, David Storch, Helen Taylor
Page to Stage: Theatrical Readings
The Princess tells the story of Vera Gavrilovna, a wealthy noblewoman and a tireless admirer of her own virtue, who retreats to a monastery in search of spiritual renewal. Surrounded by polite silence, she takes this as devotion—until a chance meeting with a former employee from her estate threatens to shatter her delusion.
Audience Comments
‘I love this format. Your cast was fantastic, great choice of work, tight crisp direction that wrung so much from limited props and modest but precise actions. Left there feeling uplifted, happy and kinda clever because I had been steeped in brilliant literature that was over 100years old. ’
‘Thank you for the Chekhov Collective performance today. The humanity. The commitment. The skill apparent. Just what this human needed today. Bravo’
‘Thank you for let us watch such a superb piece of theatre! It was our first time with The Chekhov Collective and we are happy to have discovered your company, and sorry we did not see the previous creations. ‘
‘I was spellbound by your performance of The Princess. Told my friend to go and she absolutely swooned too! So good. Thanks again for a superb evening of theatre and storytelling.’
‘There's something so easy about the way you do this. Nothing feels pushed or overworked and still everything just Lands. It feels relaxed, but it's incredibly exact. You trust the material, and that let me lean in and discover it for myself. Such a gift.’
‘You are all brilliant. The Princess was my favourite Chekhov Collective production…yet. I can’t wait to see what comes next..’
‘I was immediately swept into the story of 'The Princess'. A captivating staged reading with such beautiful movement to carry it. What a sharp and funny telling by an incredibly skilled company’
‘I attended your performance last night with my 16-year-old. Incredible. Spooky and true. Thank you!!.’
‘I just loved your play today. I am always impressed by just how captivating the readings are without full sets. Your direction allows the script to come to life and be punctuated just when it needs it, as well your work with the terrific cast is beautifully balanced. Just perfect. Congratulations’
‘It's so nice to be in a room with someone who cares this much about Chekhov. You presented the work with such respect, real joy, and just the right wink.’
‘What stayed with me most was how differently I saw the princess. Instead of judging her, I found myself understanding her, how she lives inside her status because it's the only way she knows how to exist.’
‘Bravo to the collective for all you do! Grateful Gail.’