Australian Stage Online
"...A Chekhov play performed in Hungarian with surtitles may seem a little daunting for the theatrically faint-hearted. This production, however, is wonderful and completely engaging. It perfectly demonstrates why Chekhov is considered a master. The Katona József Theatre understands how to play Chekhov in a way that is so often missed by Australian productions which are too often rooted in a stifling sense of realism with a token smattering of comedy. ..."
Festival Buzz / Sydney Festival newsletter (by Lisa the festival blogger)
"... So that was a very internal experience, but I do love the Festival for the way it sifts out different cultures in the city and invites us all to celebrate and commune with each other at events. Last week, it was the Hungarians' turn at Ivanov. Budapest's Katona József Theatre's interpretation of Ivanov is a brilliant. The production design is a glorious dolly mixture of lipstick and polyester, creating respite from the gloomy provincialism of 1960s Hungary. Each and every one of the cast were outstanding and worked together symbiotically: no matter how small their part, their characters loomed large. This work is a richly intelligent rethink of Chekhov's first performed play. There's heartless fortune-hunting, absurdity, adultery, fireworks, darts of pleasure and little swords of truth and the comedy and tragic coalesce to create a hugely satisfying night at the theatre. And the Hungarians, they loved it."
Sydney Festival Reviews / The Australian".. Nobody should be put off by the prospect of a Chekhov play performed in Hungarian. This is a wonderful production - wild, funny and passionate. There are 22 great actors on stage and every character they play is distinctive, original and fascinating, as are their often tortuous but mostly comic relations with each other. The style veers between hilarious farce and passionate seriousness - the farce often full of pain, the seriousness often crazily absurd. "
FOTÓK
