Video transcript: The Cherry Orchard at the Swan Theatre in Stratford.
The Cherry Orchard isn’t a favourite play of mine, but the cast – Kenneth Branagh, Helen Hunt, Bill Pullman – that’s what got me up to Stratford-upon-Avon for this.
And it was amazing to see the cast. That was a real highlight for me, particularly Kenneth Branagh.
He performs in a Northern Irish accent, and it really changed my perspective of him as a performer.
In my head, I could see the performance he was going to give, but having a different accent put a different spin on that performance, so I really enjoyed that.
Bill Pullman doesn’t have a massive part, and actually neither does Helen Hunt. I mean, considering their celebrity status, these aren’t huge roles for them. So it’s an interesting choice.
One particular element that I did enjoy, something that I hadn’t seen emphasised quite to this extent, was the relationship with Helen Hunt’s character and the death of her son.
That level of yearning that she gave, almost bridging that connection between not wanting to sell the cherry orchard because she’s losing that connection with her dead son. I thought that was really interesting.
It’s not going to make me rush back and see another production of The Cherry Orchard.
I think, for me, it’s one of those plays that is very much cast dependent, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed watching the cast.
The Cherry Orchard, Swan Theatre
A version of Chekhov’s play by Laura Wade
Directed by Tamara Harvey
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Helen Hunt and Bill Pullman
Running time: 2 hours and 35 minutes including an interval
Booking until 29 August, 2026
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