Irene Nemirovsky’s biography of Anton Chekhov, adapted for radio by Michael Hastings, captures in brief scenes, reminiscent of his short stories, crucial points from his tough childhood in the remote port of Taganrog on the Sea of Azov to his marriage in his last years as the celebrated playwright.
Irene Nemirovsky’s biography appeared in 1950 but it was not until the publication of Suite Francaise in 2006 that her enormous talent as a writer reached a wider audience. In A Life of Chekhov she puts aside the conventional biographer’s position and writes the story as if she was in the presence of the Chekhov family.
CAST
Anton Chekhov – ANDREW SCOTT
Masha Chekhov & Natasha – ROMOLA GARAI
Yevgenia Chekhov & Olga Knipper – NIAMH CUSACK
Paul Chekhov & Suvorin – DAVE HILL
Uncle Mitrofan – ALAN WILLIAMS
Kolya Chekhov & Alex Smagin – BO PORAJ
Sasha Chekhov – KEITH DUNPHY
Vanya Chekhov – HUGH WYLD
Misha Chekhov – BILLY DUDLEY
COMPANY
Studio Manager – Mark Smith
Production Assistant – James Thompson
Executive Producer – Ed Crozier
Director – Lucy Bailey
Producer – Nicholas Newton