Review: Cherry orchard at HOME is ‘about community, family and moving on’

The Cherry Orchard is a brilliant production showing at HOME theatre, and is produced by The Yard Theatre and ETT.

Directed by James Macdonald, it is one to watch.

Vinay Patel conquers a brilliant adaptation of Chekov and tells a moving story of discomfort, family and addressing change.

As with many things written during lockdown it follows the inevitable theme of isolation which ultimately leads to life changing lessons.

The set is something that’s iconic to the piece.

Designer Rosie Elnile creates a mood that is intense and intriguing as we are welcomed into the space with a distant grumble sound and a well lit stage.

What starts as one idea, turns into a drastic move the whole household makes as they make the decision to move away from the cherry orchard in search of new life on a planet.

What’s interesting about the characters is that they aren’t all in agreement with each other.

In the bubble of their own home they are able to express themselves truthfully and realise slowly that they are living in a place that no longer serves them.

Throughout the scenes, characters seem to come and go quickly, which has the audience craving more time with the characters individually.

In particular, the character articulately played by Gavi Singh Chera is ready to take action on his individual path of self discovery.

The mother character struggles to separate with the Cherry Orchard the most, and through savagely raw acting, Anjali Jay gives us a glimpse into the heartbreak she faces in the pain of separation.

It’s made clear to us that this is a story of community and family, as much as it is about moving on. Vinay Patel manages to captures this family unit in a way which is authentic and real.

The Cherry Orchard is playing now at HOME theatre, and you can book your tickets here.