After having stayed in Paris for several years, the widow Ranevskaya returns to her family home in Russia. She encounters a changed world. The family’s debts have become so great that the house and estate will have to be auctioned. Businessman Lopakhin sees a way out. He proposes to cut down the cherry orchard and use the land to build summer cottages on, which can be rented out.

Chekhov’s final play portrays the painful demise of people who live in the illusion of their past life and do not understand modern times. The cherry orchard has become unprofitable over time. They used to make jam from the cherries. But even old manservant Firs, who worked on the estate all his life, has forgotten the recipe by now.

The future belongs to capitalists and fast money. In The cherry orchard, the roles are literally reversed. Lopakhin buys the house where his father once worked as a servant. The man who used to be without possessions has become the owner. Ranevskaya still has land, but no money. She is unable to change her way of thinking.

The detailed portrait of people living in futile yearning for something that no longer exists has made The cherry orchard grow into one of the most beloved plays of the global repertoire. Internationally renowned English director Simon McBurney directs the ensemble.

The cherry orchard will have it's première at the Holland Festival 2019.