By Anton Chekhov, translated by Julius West

Directed by Tim Gilmour, with Assistant Director and Production Manager Ruth Gilmour

​

About the play

The Cherry Orchard is a bittersweet comedy about a family on the brink of change. As an old estate faces sale, its owners cling to memory, status and sentiment while the world around them moves on.

This production leans into the humour, humanity and urgency of Chekhov’s final play: a story of people dreaming and delaying as history quietly overtakes them.

This is a fresh, accessible reimagining with a pared-back aesthetic and strong ensemble focus. The emphasis is on clear storytelling and lived-in, truthful performances while treading the line between comedy and tragedy. While respecting the text, this production will be set in contemporary Australia, with a focus on natural performances and accents.​

​

Characters

All roles are open. We are seeking a strong ensemble of actors comfortable with both comedy and emotional realism. All ages are playing ages and flexible. Feel free to audition for characters of any gender.

• Lubov (Female, 40s-50s): The owner of the estate. Impulsive, generous, sometimes melodramatic and deeply avoidant. Lubov feels her emotions fiercely but struggles to face practical realities.

• Lopakhin (Male, 40s): A wealthy merchant, the son of former serfs. Intelligent, awkward and driven. Lopakhin embodies progress but desperately wants emotional acceptance from the family.

• Anya (Female, late teens-early 20s): Lubov’s daughter. Idealistic, hopeful and emotionally perceptive. Anya senses that the orchard’s loss might also be a beginning.

• Varya (Female, late 20s-30s): Lubov’s adopted daughter. Responsible, anxious and deeply practical. Varya holds the household together while quietly longing for certainty and love.

• Gaev (Male, 40s-50s): Lubov’s brother. Eccentric, verbose and nostalgic. Gaev lives in grand speeches and sentimental memories, rarely in the present.

• Trofimov (Male, 20s-30s): A perpetual student and idealist. Passionate, political and occasionally insufferable. Trofimov believes in a better future, even if he struggles to live in the now.

• Pischik (Male, 50+): A landowner constantly in debt. Cheerful, opportunistic and absurdly optimistic. A comic presence with surprising turns.

• Fiers (Male, 60+): An elderly servant and relic of the old world. Loyal, rigid and quietly tragic.

• Dunyasha (Female, late teens-20s): A maid who fancies herself refined and romantic. Nervous, flirtatious and dramatic.

• Yasha (Male, 20s): A young footman to Lubov. He toys with Dunyasha and Lubov’s affections. 

• Charlotta (Female, 30s-40s): The governess. Dry, eccentric and emotionally guarded. A performer and outsider who uses humour and tricks to mask her loneliness. Note: Must have magician experience. 

• Epikhodov (Male, 20s-30s): A clerk plagued by accidents and self-pity. Earnest, unlucky and unintentionally funny. Note: Must be able to play guitar or ukulele and accompany themselves singing. 

• Additional characters will be played by other characters and include a tramp, a stationmaster, a post-office clerk and a servant. 

​

Audition details

Bookings are essential. Read 'How to book your audition' below.

Dates and times:

• Thursday 8 January: 6.00–9.00 pm

• Friday 9 January: 6.00–9.00 pm

• Saturday 10 January: 10.00 am–3.00 pm

Location:
Frankston Theatre Group, 'The Shed', Overport Park, 4/159 Overport Road, Frankston South VIC 3199

Format:

• 10-minute individual auditions

• Please prepare:

  • One monologue (up to 1 minute). This may be classical or contemporary, comedic or dramatic, from a play, film, television show or novel. Choose something that shows character and emotional truth and plays to your strengths.

  • Be prepared for a cold read from The Cherry Orchard. You will most likely do this twice, once with redirection.

Accent note (important):
Please do not use accents. While it can be tempting to perform Chekhov with an RP or Russian accent, this production will use actors’ natural accents. You may add character to your voice, but keep it grounded in realism.

​

How to book your audition

Please contact Ruth Gilmour, Production Manager
Email r.macaulay007@gmail.com

Call or text 0455 508 733​

​

Additional information

• This production will be Frankston Theatre Group’s entry in the Victorian Drama League Awards 2026.

• Cast must become members of Frankston Theatre Group (membership fee $20). There are no additional show fees.

• All cast are required to attend bump-In (Saturday, 4 April) and bump-Out (Sunday, 19 April).

• This is an unpaid community theatre production.

​

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will begin with a read-through on Wednesday 14 January.

Rehearsals throughout January, February and March will generally be held:

• Wednesday evenings

• Friday evenings

• Sunday afternoons

Not all characters will be required at every rehearsal.
A detailed rehearsal schedule will be provided following casting.

​

Performances

Six performances at Frankston High School Theatre:

• Friday 10 April 2026, 7.30 pm

• Saturday 11 April 2026, 7.30 pm

• Sunday 12 April 2026, 2.00 pm

• Friday 17 April 2026, 7.30 pm

• Saturday 18 April 2026, 7.30 pm

• Sunday 19 April 2026, 2.00 pm

​

Queries

Ruth Gilmour, Production Manager
Email r.macaulay007@gmail.com

Call or text 0455 508 733