The Cherry Orchard | Essays and Criticism

  • The Cherry Orchard as a Comic Masterpiece

    Fiero is an accomplished actor as well as a noted collegiate educator. In this essay he discusses Chekhov's skill as a writer of comedy and The Cherry Orchard's status as a misperceived comedy masterpiece.

  • Chekhov: A Spirit Set Free

    In the following excerpt from his book, Chekhov: A Spirit Set Free, Pritchett outlines the historical background of and Chekhov's sources for The Cherry Orchard, characterizing the play as "Chekhov's farewell to Russia and his genius."

  • Russian High Comedy

    In the following review, which originally appeared in the New York Times on January 23, 1923, Corbin praises The Cherry Orchard, calling it "the masterpiece of the man who...has touched the pinnacle of modern Russian comedy.''