Michael Boyd: 'We should embrace Chekhov's end-of-the-pier spirit'

Michael Boyd's new in the round production of The Cherry Orchard marks the first time the director will stage a play by Chekhov, which is remarkable because he's Boyd's favourite playwright. Not only that, but Boyd also spent several years working and studying in Russia and can't speak Russian too.

This new production will open at Bristol Old Vic on Thursday and will run until 7 April before heading to the Royal Exchange Theatre. The cast includes Kirsty Bushell as Lyuba Ranevsky, Togo Igawa as Firs, Julius D'Silva as Boris Simeyonov-Pischik and Jude Owusu as Lopakhin.

Rory Mullarkey has newly adapted the play, which tells of a decaying family house and orchard looking for financial salvation.

The Cherry Orchard runs at the Bristol Old Vic until 7 April before running at the Manchester Royal Exchange from 19 April to 19 May.