The production of Summerfolk by Maxim Gorky (trans. Nina Raine, Moses Raine) currently playing at the National Theatre is a glorious thing. Bourgeois Russians on an extended stay in their country dachas act like the trivialities of their lives are the most important, fascinating things in the world, while all around them something is brewing. The biting satire is mixed with tender emotion and a smattering of cheeky Chekovian references.
Inspiring stuff from a cast and crew directed by the National’s Deputy Artistic Director, Robert Hastie.