THE LITTLE DRESSMAKER

by Linnie Redman
freely adapted from Chekhov's The Grasshopper

Union Theatre, Southwark
21 February - 11 March 2006

Olga Ivanovna is blessed. She is talented, beautiful and she enchants everyone she meets. However, her warm, impulsive character leads her to jump from one thing to another – without thought for the consequences. Married to a distinguished doctor, she embarks on an affair with a celebrated artist, using her ‘Little Dressmaker’ as a decoy. Like Nina in The Seagull, Olga adores celebrity and would do anything to have the world at her feet. But is the price she pays worth it?

Chekhov's The Grasshopper was one of the very few stories based on his own life. Chekhov was often present at the parties of Sophia Kuvshinnikov, held at her flat in the watchtower of a fire station, attended by celebrities of the time. She too was married to a distinguished doctor, whilst having an affair with Isaac Levitan – a renowned landscape painter and intimate friend of Chekhov. The story was a thinly veiled depiction of their relationships. When the story was first published, it caused outrage and scandal within his circle. In response, Chekhov is reported to have said Why, my grasshopper is a pretty young girl, while Sophia Kuvshinnikov is neither so pretty nor so young.

The play is filled with the colourful characters Chekhov mixed with – artists, actors, musicians and of course the voice of reason – the little dressmaker. The Little Dressmaker not only explores the nature of celebrity – its pursuit, effects and transience, but also the conflict between the two cultures of science and art. Although the play draws from other aspects of Chekhov's works, including his own anecdotes, there is a very un-Chekhovian twist to the tale.

Written and dramatised by Linnie Redman who was inspired by working with Alan Rickman on The Winter Guest at The Almeida Theatre, Tim Supple on Blood Wedding at The Young Vic and Tim Supple and Ted Hughes on Spring Awakening at the RSC.

With original music by composer Joe Evans, the score hints at references to the Russian folk music and other composers of the time; but is also influenced by more modern theatrical music such as The Tiger Lillies, Kurt Weill and Sondheim. The music is performed live by the actors and the musical director himself.

The Little Dressmaker is not just an attempt to present another Chekhov play. Its aim is to tell a poignant story in a very theatrical and musical setting.