Chekhov inspired double bill takes to Kenilworth stage

The theatre in Barrow Road is bringing its productions of Afterplay and The Bear to the stage from tonight until Saturday September 29.

In Afterplay, Friel imagines the meeting of two characters from two well-known Chekhov plays - Uncle Vanya and Three Sisters - 20 years on from the action of the original play.

Both characters - Matthew Salisbury as Andrey and Rosie Gowers as Sonya - meet by chance and tell of the better lives they yearn for. Chekhov’s gentle humour and poignancy is bought to the fore.

The second half of the double bill is Friel’s adaptation of Chekhov’s The Bear. In this comedy - described by the Talisman as “rumbustiously amusing”, Julie Godfrey plays Elena the grieving widow and Nevil Malin plays her ancient but devoted manservant, who tries valiantly to persuade Elena that she has mourned enough - without success. Until The Bear (Colin Ritchie) – in the guise of Gregory Stepanovich Smirnov - bursts upon the scene and the sparks fly.

Performances begin at 7:30pm each evening. Tickets cost between £7 and £8.50. To book, call 856548.