UNDERSTANDING PLAYS BY CHEKHOV (Acting coaches nyc)

Another free video from New York acting-coach John Windsor-Cunningham,
this one only for actors interested in the plays of Chekhov. One of
dozens of free videos - with no advertizing attached to them, or charge

[SergeM]

The most extraordinary talk about Chekhov and acting in general I have ever heard. Thank you.

[franzliszt]

I've always liked Chekhov, but never knew any of this. I look forward to watching all his plays again with a 'first time' freshness.

[siriusmoonlite]

I'm enjoying this series of videos you're developing of your analyses of playwrights. I'd quite like to see some on writers like Samuel Beckett or maybe Tennessee Williams.

[vincezaaa]

I wish I have you as my drama teacher right now in sixth form. You have so much more technicality, depth, well rounded understanding, life experience and perspective. Thank you for this video. I just purchased a book including all Chekhov’s plays and vaudevilles

[stevenfitzgerald]

I found it’s almost like his characters never speak honestly. They’ll be vocal and complain or express love but there’s always a giant shadow being cast by ego they seems to be their driving force but that they are unaware of or refuse to acknowledge. Mainly they’re never really truly honest with themselves which tends to be the cause of their misery.

Tip #1 put a lot of this into context for me. It seems so obvious to me now, of course they’d never have the sense to realise they’re speaking to the wrong person! Thank you for that insight, not just for Chekhov but it’s a question I’ll ask myself for any character going forth.

I know Chekhov came from peasantry which I assumed is what gave him his frank appraisal of peoples behaviours. I read that when asked why all his plays were depressing he said it wasn’t his intention and that he was trying to be honest and show people why their fixations tended to be the causes of their own problems. So, his hope was getting people to become aware of these habits would lead to better lives.

A note on the plays being “boring” which made me laugh, he said he refused to allow an audience to be distracted by action and that in-action would force people to become aware of what was really going on internally, which then breathed humour into scenes. As soon as you realise someone is complaining to an elderly servant about boredom, suddenly the longer you watch the servant not telling the other person to sod off the funnier the scene becomes.

Thank you again for this, the first play I had to analyse was Cherry Orchard and I feel in love with Chekhov but nothing has given as much insight and as big a “everything clicks” moment as your first tip. Thank you kindly!

[thurmondg]

I love Chekhov. Thanks for your insight.

[chemali]

I absolutely loved your analysis of Chekhov! I am just curious on your take on the play "On the Harmful effects of tobacco" where he is actually speaking to the audience. Thank you for the valuable tips.

[abhijeetsinghyadav]

Googling and reading a lot of Chekhov short stories and the algorithm brought me here. Grateful for the piece of insight! Thanks!

[itsacorporatething]

Wow, only halfway through and already there are so many insights to Uncle Vanya and Three Sisters that I didn’t notice when I read them. (I’m not an actor)

[hippychile]

Thank you!  I feel that I'm going to enjoy Chekhov now!

[larrybrent]

Thank you very much for the interesting explanation and the great tips and advices how to understand and see the plays by Chekhov and his characters. I am about to play Treplyov in The Seagull and your video helped me a lot.
All the best to you!

[charlesh]

I wish I'd had you as a teacher back in the day. Thank you!

[gdaymates]

Thank you! I am reading some of his plays right now.

[danielstewart]

Oh, it's such a delight to just hear you talking. It's a pity you'e in New York City. We need you here, John... in Paris.

[marcosrenaux]

Thanks, John. Very interesting and elucidating.

[robertgallagher]

I'm the perfect Play audience because I look at almost ANY Play as a choice between sitting in your room alone and just thinking or watching a play on you tube and this makes almost any play enjoyable I've enjoyed every Checkhov play I've seen especially the High School The Cherry Orchard from Texas (playing guitar all the time gets boring) and appreciate and respect those responsible for its creation also George Cloony started out nice but he bought a James Ellroy Novel White Jazz and won't film it now because he feels the main character too evil think George Cloony flaking out on this especially to James Ellroy fans why buy it in the first place was he expecting James Ellroy to be pure and wholesome now he thinks it may hurt his image great channel glad I discovered

[beldengi]

On Kanopy.com there is a performance of The Three Sisters by a theatre company in Novosibirsk where the actors only communicate in the sign language of the deaf. The subtitles seem to follow the text of the play quite accurately. It is a fascinating film and an interesting performance.

[alexisweber]

I'm a young actress trying to learn and I just watched all your videos and it's helping me so much! Thank you so much and keep uploading! Oh btw my name is Alexis and I'm from America. Ok bye for now. :D

[keeperofwhatyouseek]

I’m glad I’m not the only one that felt that way

[demonpit]

Hi, Mr.John Windsor
love to say that all your videos are outstanding and helpful
Feel entirely thankful for your uploading

Could you possibly tell me what sort of accent Ray Winstone and Jason Staham have, Do they have the same Birtish accent?