After a Chinese version of Platonov and an Israeli production of Requiem, a Russian troup now brings their own interpretation of the great master Chekhov to Beijing audiences. Joining the centenary celebrations of Chekhov's death in the Chinese capital, the Russian Academic Youth Theatre present their latest production of The Cherry Orchard -- the playwright's final masterpiece. Does the Russian cherry taste any different? You can find out for yourself at Beijing's Tianqiao Theatre.

The Cherry Orchard tells of the Gayev family, the epitome of the Russian land-owning gentry, incapable of coping with social change. In debt up to their necks, the family is about to let their beloved cherry orchard go out to auction. But Madame Ranevsky, the estate's kind but improvident master, refuses to lease the land to city folk -- only to see it bought off by the son of a former family serf, knowing that all the trees were to be cut down.

The last work of a prolific life, The Cherry Orchard was written in 1903 and 1904, when Chekhov was clearly in the final throes of tuberculosis. The Moscow Art Theater first produced it on January 17, 1904 -- on his 44th birthday and six months before he bid farewell to the world. Since then, directors all around the world have tried their hand at the play. But Russians, who claim Chekhov their son, won't let the play's Chinese debut bypass them.

Founded in 1921, the Russian Academic State Youth Theatre is one of the main Moscow venues for for the works of such greats as Chekhov, Pushkin and Tolstoy.

One hundred years ago, it was Olga Knipper, Chekhov's dear wife, who was on a Moscow stage in the role of Madame Ranevsky. Sunday night right here, it's Larisa Grebenshikova. The actress believes she can reach Chekhov, despite gaps in time and space.

There are many allusions to Chekhov's real life. His family lost its home to repossession in 1876. And when he wrote the play at his Yalta cottage, a fruit orchard sat on one side, and a cemetery on the other. That might explain why "The Cherry Orchard" has that unshakable tint of tragedy, despite the author's insistence that it is a comedy.

(CCTV.com September 16, 2004)