Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

H72 Productions has found another interesting play for its current season. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a comedy by the American writer Christopher Durang, has been praised as a humorous adaptation of Chekhovian themes that doesn’t require any familiarity with Chekhov. Its story revolves around the relationships of three middle-aged single siblings; Vanya and Sonia live together, supported financially by their sister Masha in their country house with a vestigial cherry orchard (Chekhov fans will of course spot the borrowings). They come together to talk about their lives, reflecting on moments of joy and regret; the themes of old versus new generations, real versus assumed identities, the challenges of a woman growing older after success in a career that seems to be ending, the hope and carelessness of youth are all  thrown into relief when Masha reveals plans to sell the family home …

The resulting bittersweet comedy is directed for H72 by Akansha Goenka (winner of Short+Sweet Theatre Festival 2022′). There are further performances at 7.30pm on 24 and 25 June.