THREE SISTERS

A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS
BY ANTON CHEKHOV

Version by Pam Gems

Copyright © Pam Gems
Pam Gems is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The author has asserted her moral rights. 

All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved and application for performance etc. should be made before rehearsal to Rose Cobbe, United Agents, 12-26 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LE, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0800.
http://unitedagents.co.uk/agents/rose-cobbe/. Assistant: Dan Usztan. Email: dusztan@unitedagents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0873. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.

THREE SISTERS

Characters

ANDREI SERGEYEVICH PROZOROV
NATALIA IVANOVNA, his bride, then wife
OLGA	)
MASHA	)    his sisters
IRINA	)
FYODOR ILICH KULYGIN, schoolteacher, Masha’s husband
ALEKSANDER IGNATIEVICH VERSHININ, lieutenant colonel, battery commander
NIKOLAI LVOVICH TUZENBAKH, baron, lieutenant
VASILY VASILIEVICH SOLYONY, staff-captain
IVAN ROMANOVICH CHEBUTYKIN, military doctor
ALEKSEI PETROVICH FYODOTIK, second lieutenant
VLADIMIR KARLOVICH RODEI, second lieutenant
FERAPONT, a guard of the Zemstvo1 an old man
ANFISA, nanny, old woman, 80 years old

The action takes place in a provincial town.

THREE SISTERS

ACT ONE

A drawing-room in the Prozorov house, with columns and a hall beyond, where the dining table is being laid.

OLGA, in the dark blue uniform of a teacher in a girls’ school, is on her feet marking exercise books.  MASHA, in black, with a little hat on her lap, sits reading.  IRINA, in white, is standing, her mind elsewhere.

			OLGA
		It’s the fifth today, the fifth of May.  Your name-day Irina...the day Daddy died, a year ago today.  It was cold, there was snow - you were lying there, as white as a corpse, I thought we’d lost you.  A year.  Here we are, we talk about it now as though nothing - and you’re in a white dress, face shining.

		(The clock strikes twelve.)

		Oh, and the clock striking just as it did then - the solemn music as they carried out the coffin and the sudden noise of the guns - a volley of respect for the grave of a general in command of a brigade.
		But nobody there.
		Hardly anyone.  And it was raining - the rain turned to snow it was so cold.

			IRINA
		Don’t.  What’s the point?

The BARON TUZENBAKH, CHEBUTYKIN and SOLYONY appear in the hall, by the table.

			OLGA
		Today it’s warm, so warm we can have the windows open - the birch trees aren’t even out yet.  In Moscow in May everything’s in bloom - I remember Daddy getting his brigade in May and we left in sunshine.  Eleven years...it seems like yesterday.  When I woke up this morning, saw the light - so bright it made your  heart  sing - I yearned to be back in Moscow.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Like hell...

			TUZENBAKH
		Rubbish.

MASHA, lost in her book, whistles to herself.

			OLGA
		Don’t whistle indoors, Masha.  It’s bad luck . 

		(She looks at the book she is correcting.)  I’m getting a headache.  Teaching all day, private lessons at night, I’m getting old before my time.  Four years at that school has drained all the energy out of me.  Only one dream gives me strength - just one -

			IRINA
		To go back.  To go back to Moscow.  Sell the house, finish everything here -

			OLGA
		- and home to Moscow!

CHEBUTYKIN and TUZENBAKH laugh.

			IRINA
		Andrei will be a professor, he won’t want to stay here.  There’s only Masha.

			OLGA
		She can come to Moscow for the summers every year.

MASHA whistles quietly.

			IRINA
		It’ll happen, God willing.  (She looks out of the window.)  It’s so lovely outside today - and it’s my saint’s-day!  When I remembered first thing I felt such joy, I remembered when Mama was alive - such thoughts - wonderful thoughts -
			OLGA
		You look lovely today - shining - so beautiful - and Masha too...and Andrei as well, if he wasn’t so fat, it doesn’t suit him.  I’m thinner, looking older, I suppose from having to put up with school, so tiring.  But today I’m home, no headache - I feel younger.  Everything’s good and I’m only 28.  I should be married and able to stay at home - oh, if I could be at home all day - I’d love my husband.

			TUZENBAKH
		(To SOLYONY) Rubbish, don’t be such a bore.  (Comes into the drawing room.)  Oh, I forgot!  You’ll be getting a visit today from Vershinin, our new battery commander.  (Sits at the piano.)

			OLGA
		Oh what a thrill.

			IRINA
		How old is he, is he old?

			TUZENBAKH
		Not really.  Forty, forty-five at the most.  (Playing quietly.)  Certainly no fool.  Talks a lot.

			IRINA
		Is he interesting?

			TUZENBAKH
		Apart from having a wife...his second...a mother-in-law and two little girls, yes.  You’ll hear all about it from him - wife’s a bit touched, wears her hair in plaits, goes on and on about - I don’t know - ideas - has a go at killing herself now and then just to annoy.  I’d have got rid of her long ago but he puts up with it - just complains to everybody.

SOLYONY comes into the room with CHEBUTYKIN.

			SOLYONY
		With one hand I can only lift 35 pounds but with two hands 300 even 400.  That means two men are not twice as strong as one, but three times, five times, even more...

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Reading from newspaper as he walks.)  If hair is falling out dissolve four grammes of naphthalene in half a bottle of spirits and apply daily.  (Stops and writes it down)...apply daily. 

		(To SOLYONY) So, as I was saying, put the cork in the bottle, a glass tube through it, then you take a pinch of colouring...

			IRINA
		Ivan Romanovich...dear Ivan Romanovich...

			CHEBUTYKIN
		What is it, joy of my heart?

			IRINA
		Tell me, why am I so happy today, I’m in full flight, above me big white birds in a blue sky - why - why?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Kisses her hands tenderly) My little white birds...

			IRINA
		When I woke up this morning I got up, washed - all of a sudden I felt, I began to feel that everything was clear - that I knew how to live.  I understand now dear Ivan Romanovich. A person must work, hard, all the time, whoever he is, that alone can give his life meaning, purpose, happiness...even ecstasy.  How right to be a worker, get up at dawn, break rocks on the streets, or a herdsman or a teacher, or a driver on the railway - my God, better to be an ox, a horse producing work,

			IRINA (Cont’d)
		than a young woman who gets up at noon, drinks coffee, doesn’t dress till 2 o’clock - oh it's awful!  I’m as thirsty as someone dying of thirst in boiling hot weather, that’s how much I want to work - and if I won’t, if I won’t get out of bed then you must stop being my friend beloved Ivan Romanovich...

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Tenderly) I will, I will...

			OLGA
		When we were small we were out of bed by seven o’clock, Papa’s orders.  Irina still wakes up, but she lies there till nine thinking about the state of the world with a face like this.  (She pulls a serious face and laughs.)

			IRINA
		Because I’m not a little girl any more, I’m 20 years old.

			TUZENBAKH
		A yearning for work, occupation - God I understand that.  I’ve never done a stroke - never, ever.  I was born in Petersburg, cold, pointless place, to a family that had never worked, never wanted for anything.  When I was a cadet I’d come home every night and wait for a lackey to pull off my boots.  My mother worshipped me - amazed if anyone found fault with me.  As for work, doing anything useful, oh I was kept well away from that.  Protected.  Well, whatever the protection was for it’s not going to succeed. 

		It’s in the air - the storm that’s coming - a huge overwhelming blast that will blow away all the laziness, idle meaningless, lives spent with only the rot of boredom eating away people’s souls, zest for being.  I’ll work and so will you all, every one of us twenty years from now.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Not me, I shan’t be working.

			TUZENBAKH
		You don’t count.

			SOLYONY
		You won’t be here twenty years from now, thank God.  Couple of years you’ll keel over from a stroke, or I’ll get furious and put a bullet in your nose, dear heart.  (Takes out a scent bottle, sprays himself with cologne.)

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Laughs) I haven’t lifted a finger since I left university.  Haven’t read a book...just the papers - (takes another newspaper from his pocket_ - so I know, what do I know - (looks at the paper) - let’s say I know about Dobrolyubov - he’s a writer of something - God knows what.

		(Knocking from the floor below.)
		Ah - must be for me - wonder who - back in a minute.  (Goes, combing his beard in expectation of a visitor.)

			IRINA
		What’s he up to?

			TUZENBAKH
		Didn’t you see his face?  Probably got a present for you.

			IRINA
		No, that’s so tiresome.

			OLGA
		Or he’s doing something stupid.

			MASHA
		(Sings quietly)  By the shore a golden chair
		Around the oak
		The oak so green
		So gold the chair
		So clear the light
		The green and gold
		Beguiling sight.
		(She rises, hums quietly to herself.)

			OLGA
		Masha...you’re unhappy today. 
		(MASHA, still humming, puts on her hat.)
		Where are you going?

			MASHA
		Home.

			IRINA
		You’re going?

			TUZENBAKH
		Leaving Irina’s saint’s-day?

			MASHA
		It doesn’t matter, I’ll be back this evening.  Goodbye darling.  (Kisses IRINA.)  Health and happiness, all good wishes again.  When Father was alive 30 or 40 officers at every saint’s-day party - now only one and a half - the place is like a desert.  I’m off, I’m feeling low - no-one’s listening to me.  (Laughing through tears.)  We’ll talk later, but goodbye for now darling, I must be off.

			IRINA
		(Upset) Do you have to?

			OLGA
		(With tears) I understand, Masha.

			SOLYONY
		If a man philosophizes, that’s philosophy - sophistry at least.  With two women it’s gab.

			MASHA
		What do you mean, you horrible man?

			SOLYONY
		Nothing.  “He had no time to say hullo, Before the grizzly laid him low.”

Pause.
			MASHA
		(Angry at OLGA) Oh stop howling!

ANFISA and FERAPONT enter with a cake.

			ANFISA
		It’s all right, Ferapont, old man, your feet are clean.

		(To IRINA) From the Council, from Protopopov.  It’s a cake.

			IRINA
		Oh thank you.  Tell him thank you.  (She takes the cake.)

			FERAPONT
		Eh?

			IRINA
		(Louder) Tell him thank you!

			OLGA
		Nanny, give him some.  (Louder, to FERAPONT) Go on down, they’ll give you a piece downstairs.

			FERAPONT
		Eh?

			ANFISA
		Downstairs...cake downstairs, Ferapont Spiridonich.  (She leads him off.)

			MASHA
		I don’t like Protopopov.  We shouldn’t invite him.
			IRINA
		I didn’t.

			MASHA
		Good.

CHEBUTYKIN comes in followed by a SOLDIER with a silver samovar.  Murmurs of surprise and displeasure.

			OLGA
		A silver samovar...oh no!  (She goes into the hall by the table.)

			IRINA
		Ivan Romanovich, what are you doing?

			TUZENBAKH
		(Laughing) What did I tell you!

			MASHA
		My dear doctor, have you no shame at all?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Beloved ones, you mean everything - you’re all I have - I’m an old man, nearly 60, I’m nobody, nobody at all, I have nothing - nothing worth a damn except my love for you - I’d have left this earth a long time ago if it weren’t for that.  (To IRINA) My darling little one, I’ve known you since the day you were born.  I carried you in my arms, I loved your dear dead mother...

			IRINA
		But why such expensive, extravagant presents?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Almost in tears, angry) Extravagant?  Honestly.  (To the SOLDIER) Take it in there.  (Teasing) Expensive presents...

The SOLDIER takes the samovar into the hall.

			ANFISA
		(Enters) My dears, there’s some colonel, I don’t know who he is,  halfway up the stairs - I’ve never seen him before, he’s got his coat off already.  Be nice Irinushka - be polite to him - we’re late with breakfast already...oh Lord...(leaving.)

			TUZENBAKH
		It must be Vershinin.
		(VERSHININ enters.)
		Lieutenant-Colonel Vershinin!

			VERSHININ
		(To MASHA and IRINA) May I have the honour of presenting myself: Vershinin.  I’m delighted to be here at last...good heavens - you’ve grown up!

			IRINA
		Do sit down, we’re delighted to see you.

			VERSHININ
		The pleasure’s all mine but aren’t there three of you?  I don’t remember your faces but I do remember that Colonel Prozorov had three little girls, I saw them with my own eyes.  Time goes so quickly...so fast!

			TUZENBAKH
		Aleksander Ignatievich is from Moscow.

			IRINA
		From Moscow?  Are you from Moscow?

			VERSHININ
		Yes.  I was serving in his brigade when your father was battery commander there.  (To MASHA) I think I remember your face a little.

			MASHA
		I don’t remember yours.

			IRINA
		Olga!  Olga!  (Calls to the hall) Olga...here!  (OLGA) comes in from the hall.)  Colonel Vershinin is from Moscow.

			VERSHININ
		Ah, you must be Olga Sergeyevna - then you  Maria - and Irina, the youngest...

			OLGA
		And you’re from Moscow?

			VERSHININ
		Yes.  I studied in Moscow, joined the service in Moscow, served a long time there and now here I am, as you see, in charge of a battery at last.  I don’t really remember you, but I do remember there were three sisters, and I remember your father quite clearly, I used to visit you in Moscow.

			OLGA
		I think I remember everyone, and then...

			VERSHININ
		Vershinin.  Aleksander Ignatievich Vershinin.

			IRINA
		Aleksander Ignatievich?

			VERSHININ
		Yes.

			IRINA
		From Moscow?

			VERSHININ
		Yes.

			IRINA
		Oh, it’s amazing!

			OLGA
		You see, we’re moving back there.
	
			IRINA
		Most likely by the autumn.  Going back to our home, where we were born, on Old Basmannaya Street.  (She and OLGA laugh with joy.)

			MASHA
		And now we meet someone from Moscow!  (Excited) Now I remember!  You remember, Olga - we used to call you “the lovesick major”, you were a lieutenant then and you were in love with someone and everyone teased you and called you that.

			VERSHININ
		(Laughs) Yes, that was me - the lovesick major...

			MASHA
		Only you had a moustache then - of course you’re older now - (she becomes tearful at the realisation.)

			VERSHININ
		Yes.  I was still young then...in love.  Not the same now.

			OLGA
		But you haven’t got a single grey hair...you’re older of course, but not old.

			VERSHININ
		In my forty-third year.  How long have you been away from Moscow?

			IRINA
		Eleven years.  Masha, why are you crying?... (Tearful) Now I’m crying!

			MASHA
		I’m all right.  Which street did you live on?

			VERSHININ
		Old Basmannaya.

			OLGA
		But so did we!

			VERSHININ
		To get to the barracks I had to walk over the huge bridge there - water thundering under your feet, not a place to be all on your own, saddens the soul.
		(Pause.)
		But here you have a fine river - wonderful!

			OLGA
		Cold though - oh, and the mosquitoes...

			VERSHININ
		No, good healthy Russian climate.   The forest, the river, the birch trees - of all the trees I love birch trees the most - dear modest things.  A good place to live - except why is the railway station so far away?  No - one seems to know why that is.

			SOLYONY
		I know.
		(They all look at him.)
		Because if the station were near then it wouldn’t be far and since it’s far, it can’t be near, can it?
		(An awkward silence.)

			TUZENBAKH
		A joker, Vasily Vasilievich.

			OLGA
		Oh now I remember you, I remember you!

			VERSHININ
		I knew your mother.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		A fine woman, God rest her soul.

			IRINA
		Mama is buried in Moscow.

			OLGA
		In the Novo-Devichy churchyard.

			MASHA
		I’m beginning not to remember her face...dreadful.  Well, who’ll remember us - we’ll all be forgotten in time.

			VERSHININ
		Yes forgotten - nothing to be done there.  All the things that mean so much to us all forgotten - unimportant in the end.

		(Pause.)

		What’s interesting is not knowing what will last, remain, become significant, and what won’t.  Probably Copernicus - Columbus were laughed at when they were alive.  Perhaps our lives will seem ridiculous, primitive - even sinful.

			TUZENBAKH
		Who knows?  Or the other way round - we’ll be remembered with reverence and respect.  There’s no torture now, public executions are banned - of course, a good deal of suffering still goes on...

			SOLYONY
		(High voice) Cheep, cheep, cheep...here, some birdseed, baron, let’s hear you philosophise.

			TUZENBAKH
		Vasily Vasilievich, leave off - (he moves to another seat) you’re boring.

			SOLYONY
		(High voice) Cheep, cheep, cheep...

			TUZENBAKH
		(To VERSHININ) So much suffering everywhere - but at least we’re aware of it nowadays - progress there, surely?
			VERSHININ
		Oh, of course.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		You think we’ll be remembered with respect, baron - can’t agree.  We’re down - there - lowly - look at me (he stands up.)  An inconsequential midget - but go on, tell me what a fine thing stands before you - cheer me up.

A violin can be heard offstage.

			MASHA
		That’s Andrei, our brother.

			IRINA
		The scholar of the family.  Papa was a military man but Andrei’s an academic.

			MASHA
		Papa wanted it.

			OLGA
		We’ve all been teasing him today - we think he’s a little bit in love.

			IRINA
		With a certain young lady who’ll probably come through that door in a minute.

			MASHA
		You should see the way she dresses - not that they’re hideous, her clothes, or unfashionable.  They’re weird - bright yellow with fringes and a red blouse!  She must scrub her cheeks raw, they’re so red.  Andrei’s not in love, I won’t have it, he’s got taste, he’s just doing it to tease us.  Someone said yesterday that she’s after Protopopov, the District Council chairman - very suitable.  (Calls) Andrei, come here - just for a minute.

ANDREI enters.

			OLGA
		This is my brother, Andrei Sergeyevich.

			VERSHININ
		Vershinin.

			ANDREI
		Prozorov.  (Wiping the sweat from his face.)  You’re the new battery commander?

			OLGA
		Aleksander Ignatievich comes from Moscow, Andrei!

			ANDREI
		Congratulations, now my sisters will never leave you alone.

			VERSHININ
		I’ve been boring them already, I’m afraid.

			IRINA
		Look what Andrei gave me today - a picture frame.  He made it himself.

			VERSHININ
		Yes - it’s ah -

			IRINA
		And the one on the piano, he made that too.

ANDREI waves a hand and moves off.

			OLGA
		He’s the family scholar, and a musician, and he makes things - different little things, he can do anything.  Don’t go, Andrei - he always disappears - come here!

MASHA and IRINA, laughing, pull him back.

			MASHA
		Come on!

			ANDREI
		Please, leave me alone.

			MASHA
		Don’t be silly!  When we called the Colonel the lovelorn major he didn’t mind at all.

			VERSHININ
		Not a bit!

			MASHA
		And you’re the lovesick fiddler!

			IRINA
		Or the lovelorn professor!

			OLGA
		He’s in love!  Andrusha’s in love!

			IRINA
		(Applauding) Bravo, bravo - encore!  Andrusha’s in love!

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Holding ANDREI by the waist from behind, still holding his newspaper.)  Nature forms us for what - for love alone!  (Roars with laughter.)

			ANDREI
		All right...enough.  (Wipes his face.)  I didn’t sleep last night - read till four, thought about this and that till the sun came in the bedroom.  While I’m here this summer there’s a book I want to translate from the English.

			VERSHININ
		You read English?

			ANDREI
		Yes, Papa, God rest his soul, burdened us with oh, so much education - I filled out in the year after his death, it was as if my body had escaped from prison.  Thanks to my father, my sisters and I know French, German and English, and Irina knows Italian - oh, - it cost us, believe me!

			MASHA
		Knowing three languages - what point is there in that, here?  Like having a sixth finger, useless.  (ANDREI leaves, unnoticed.)

			VERSHININ
		Useless knowledge?  There’s no such thing.  The town that doesn’t need intelligent, educated people doesn’t exist.  Let’s say that in a backward town like this there are only three people like you.  All right, the life will suffocate you here but you won’t disappear.  You’ll have some influence, and there’ll be more of you to follow, and more, and more until in the end you’ll be in the majority and life will be astonishing - unimaginably beautiful - amazing.  If such a life doesn’t exist yet, work, dream of it, be prepared to learn more than your forebears.  (Laughs) And you complain of knowing too much.

			MASHA
		(Taking off her hat) I’ll stay for breakfast.

			IRINA
		(Sighs) We should write all this down.

			TUZENBAKH
		You say it will be amazing in the future, life on earth.  True, but to be a part of that, however remotely, we must work, work towards it.

			VERSHININ
		(Stands up) Yes.  So many flowers in this room!  (Looks around) Wonderful - I envy you.  I’ve spent my life in rooms with two chairs, a sofa and a smoky stove.  This is what I’ve been missing all my life - flowers.  (Rubs his hands.)  Well...anyway.

			TUZENBAKH
		Yes - work, we must work.  Oh, he’s German, all that feeling but I’m not, I’m Russian, I don’t even speak German, my father was Orthodox.

Pause.

			VERSHININ
		(Moving about the stage) I often think - suppose we could start our lives again, use the first life as something to learn from.  At least we would have rooms such as these, filled with light and flowers.  I’ve two girls, my wife’s a sick woman and so on - next time round I’d avoid marriage - absolutely!

KULYGIN enters in a tailcoat uniform.

			KULYGIN
		(Approaches IRINA) My dear sister, allow me to congratulate you on your saint’s-day and wish you, from my soul, health and all a girl of your age could wish for.  I’d like to present you with this (gives her a book).  The history of our school’s fifty years, written by me.  Nothing in it, I wrote it from the lack of something better to do, but read it anyway.  Gentlemen! 

			KULYGIN
		(To VERSHININ) Kulygin, teacher at our school, town councillor.  (To IRINA) In this book you’ll find a list of all who graduated here in the last 50 years.  Feci, potui, faciant meliora potentes.  I did what I could.  Let him who can, do better.
			IRINA
		But you gave me this book at Easter.

			KULYGIN
		(Laughs) Oh well, give it back, better still give it to the Colonel.  Colonel - something to read when you’re bored and there’s nothing better.

			VERSHININ
		Thank you.  (Rises) I’m so pleased to have met -

			OLGA
		Oh you’re not leaving!

			IRINA
		Stay and have breakfast with us, please!

			OLGA
		Yes, you must.

			VERSHININ
		(Bowing) I didn’t realise it was your saint’s-day - forgive me, I didn’t congratulate you - (leaves with OLGA into hall beyond.)

			KULYGIN
		Sunday today, day of rest and be happy, depending on age and position.  Time to put away the carpets till winter in mothballs - remember the Romans - mens sana in corpore sano.  As our headmaster puts it: the secret to a successful life is order - order and form.  Without that - phtt!  

		(He laughs, his arm around MASHA’S waist.)  Masha loves me.  My wife loves me - and the curtains too - away with the carpets.  Oh I’m in a good mood today!  Off to the headmaster’s at four, Masha - he’s organising a walk for teachers and their families.

			MASHA
		No thank you.

			KULYGIN
		My dear, why not?

			MASHA
		We’ll talk about it later - oh all right, I’ll come, leave me alone now, please...(moves away.)

			KULYGIN
		And then we’ll spend the evening with him - he’s not a fit man but he never ceases to put himself out - wonderful.  He said to me yesterday after the staff meeting: I’m exhausted Fyodor Ilich - exhausted!  (He looks at the wall clock and then his own.)  Your clock is seven minutes fast.  Yes, he said “I’m exhausted.”

A violin can be heard offstage.

			OLGA
		Breakfast is ready - we’re having pie!

			KULYGIN
		Olga!  Dear, dear Olga!  Yesterday I worked from morning till eleven at night, went to bed worn out - today?...I’m happy.  (Goes into the hall) My dear...

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Putting his paper in his pocket and stroking his beard.)  Pie?  Excellent.

			MASHA
		(To CHEBUTYKIN, sternly) Only don’t drink anything today, d’you hear...it’s bad for you.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Rubbish, I haven’t had a binge for two years, anyway what difference does it make?

			MASHA
		Don’t you dare.  (Out of her husband’s hearing.)  Another boring, endless evening.

			TUZENBAKH
		Simple answer - don’t go.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Don’t go, darling.

			MASHA
		Oh yes - “don’t go” - oh this cursed life - 

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Following her to the hall) Never mind...
		
			SOLYONY
		(Following them) Cheep, cheep, cheep -

			TUZENBAKH
		That’s enough, Vasily Vasilievich - enough.

			SOLYONY
		Cheep, cheep, cheep...

			KULYGIN
		(Happily) Your health, Colonel!  I’m a teacher - Masha’s husband and really looked after - dear Masha’s so good.

			VERSHININ
		I’ll have the dark vodka...(he drinks).  Your health!  I feel at home here.

Only IRINA and TUZENBAKH in the living room.

			IRINA
		Masha’s low today.  She married at 18 when he seemed the most interesting person in the world, but it turned out not to be so.  He is very kind, but not clever.

			OLGA
		Andrei, are you coming?

			ANDREI
		(Off) Yes!  (He enters and makes for the table.)

			TUZENBAKH
		What are you thinking about?	

			IRINA
		I don’t like that Solyony of yours.  He frightens me.  Nothing he says makes sense.

			TUZENBAKH
		He’s an odd man - can be irritating.  I think he’s shy.  When we’re together, just the two of us, he’s clever, tender even - in company he gets aggressive.  Don’t go in - stay?  For a moment?  Tell me, what are you thinking?

		(Pause.)

		You’re 20, I’m not 30 yet.  So many years ahead of us, long long rows of days full of my love for you...

			IRINA
		Nikolai Lvovich, please don’t talk about love to me.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Not listening) I have a desperate hunger for life and experience, for battle, work and this - this thirst in my soul has grown into one with my love for you, Irina.  It’s as though you are wonderful...wonderful in order to make life wonderful to me.  What are you thinking about?

			IRINA
		You say life is wonderful.  What if it only seems that way?  Our life, the three of us - for us life has - it’s as though we’re drowning in weed and mud.  Oh, now I’m crying...(wipes her face, smiling.)  Work, that’s the answer.  We’re unhappy, miserable because we don’t work, have an occupation.  We were born to despise work.

NATALIA IVANOVNA(Natasha) enters wearing a pink dress with a green belt.
			NATASHA
		They’re sitting down to eat already...I’m late...(prinking before the glass.)  I think my hair’s all right.  (Sees IRINA) Irina Sergeyevna - best wishes!  (Gives IRINA a firm, long kiss.)  You’ve so many guests, I feel shy, no I do - Baron!

			OLGA
		(Enters drawing room.)  Natalia Ivanovna!  Hello, my dear!  (They kiss.)

			NATASHA
		Happy Saint’s-Day.  You’ve so many people here...I feel quite...

			OLGA
		Nonsense, only friends and family.  (Nervous undertone) You’re wearing a green belt.  Oh dear.

			NATASHA
		Why, is it bad luck?

			OLGA
		No, no, it’s just - it doesn’t go with the dress.

			NATASHA
		(Daunted) Oh but it’s not really green - it’s a much duller colour...(follows OLGA to hall.)

They sit down to eat.  The drawing room empty.

			KULYGIN
		Here’s to Irina and a handsome fiancé - already time you were married.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		And for Natalia Ivanovna a little fiancé too.

			KULYAN
		Natalia Ivanovna already has a little fiancé.

			MASHA
		(Taps fork against plate) A toast!  To life, wherever it went!

			KULYGIN
		Masha!  C-minus for bad behaviour.

			VERSHININ
		This tastes very good, what’s it made from?

			SOLYONY
		Cockroaches.

			IRINA
		Ugh - don’t be disgusting!

			OLGA
		For dinner tonight roast turkey and sweet apple pie - I’m at home all day today, thank God, and this evening - gentlemen, this evening please.

			VERSHININ
		May I - ?

			IRINA
		Of course - please!

			NATASHA
		All very informal here.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		And here for love and love alone.  (Laughs.)

			ANDREI
		(Angry) Oh stop it, you never leave off!

FYODOTIK and RODEI enter with a large basket of flowers.  RODEI, loud-voiced, has a lisp.

			FYODOTIK
		They’re already eating.

			RODEI
		Wait a minute!  (He takes a photo.)  One.  Hang on...(takes another) Two?  Right - after you.

They take the flowers into the hall, where they are greeted.

			RODEI
		Congratulations and best wishes.  The weather’s fine, I’ve been out with the boys - I teach gymnastics at the school.

			FYODOTIK
		You can move now, Irina Sergeyevna, it’s all right!  (Takes a picture.)  You’re looking very pretty today, if I may say - I’ve got a spinning top for you, it makes the most amazing noise -

			IRINA
		Oh, lovely.

			MASHA
		Near the shore a green oak grows,
		Around the trunk a golden chair
		Around the trunk a golden chair
		(Tearful) Why do I keep saying that...it’s been in my head all morning.

			KULYGIN
		Thirteen at table!

			RODEI
		(Loud) Who believes that, eh?  (Laughter.)

			KULYGIN
		Thirteen at table means someone’s in love - not you by any chance, Ivan Romanovich? 
 Laughter.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Oh I may be an old dog, but why is Natasha here blushing I wonder?

Loud laughter.  NATASHA runs into the living room, followed by ANDREI.

			ANDREI
		Takes no notice...ignore them...

			NATASHA
		I shouldn’t have left the table like that but I was embarrassed - I just can’t...(buries her face in her hands.)

			ANDREI
		Don’t be upset, they were only joking, they mean well, they’re good people and they love me - and you.  Come to the window, they can’t see us here...

			NATASHA
		I just don’t know how to be with other people!...

			ANDREI
		Oh my dear, you’re so young, wonderful!  Don’t worry - don’t be upset!  Trust me - it’s all right, they can’t see us, they can’t see us!  Why do I love you - when did I - I don’t understand any of it...oh, my beloved, sweet darling girl - marry me!  I love you...I love you...as no-one’s ever loved before...(They kiss.)

The OFFICERS enter, and seeing them, leave in amazement.

ACT TWO

The scenery of the first act.

Evening, the room in darkness.  From the street, the sound of an accordion.

NATASHA in her dressing-gown, enters with a candle.  She stops at the door to ANDREI’S room.

			NATASHA
		Andrei, what are you doing, are you reading?  Don’t worry...(opens and closes another door.)

			ANDREI
		(Enters, book in hand) Natasha...?

			NATASHA
		Oh look, the servants haven’t lit the candles - they’re all excited with the Lent Carnival.  You have to watch them, I found a candle alight at midnight yesterday - no one’s owned up of course.  (Puts her candle down.)  What time is it?

			ANDREI
		(Looks at his watch) A quarter past eight.

			NATASHA
		And Olga and Irina still at work - Olga’s at a meeting, Irina’s still at the post office.  (Sighs)  Poor things.  I was saying to your sister this morning “My dear, you must look after yourself” but she doesn’t listen.  A quarter past eight - I’m worried about little Bobik, he’s not at all well, yesterday a temperature, today he’s freezing cold - I worry, I can’t help it!

			ANDREI
		He’s all right, Natasha...nothing wrong with the boy.

			NATASHA
		He should be on a diet - now all these people coming, can’t you put them off?
			ANDREI
		Well hardly - they’ve been invited.

			NATASHA
		I leaned over him this morning and he woke up and gave me this beautiful smile - he knew me.  I said, “Hullo, Bobik, hullo, my pet,” and he laughed.  Children know, they understand.  We can’t have all these people tonight, I’ll tell them it’s off.

			ANDREI
		(Uncertain) It’s really up to my sisters.  It’s their house.

			NATASHA
		And yours.  I’ll tell them, they’ll understand.  (Going) I’ve ordered thick soured milk for supper - it’s for you or you’ll never lose weight.  (Stops) He was cold - that room’s too cold for Bobik, we must put him in a warmer room.  Irina’s room’s perfect, it gets the sun all day, I’ll tell her - she can sleep with Olga, she’s only here at night, after all.

		(Pause.)

		Andrei?  You’re very quiet.

			ANDREI
		Just thinking.  No, nothing.

			NATASHA
		I wanted to say something - oh yes.  Ferapont’s come round from the Council, he wants a word with you.

			ANDREI
		(Yawns) All right, let’s have him in.

NATASHA goes.  ANDREI bends to the candle she has left, reads his book.
FERAPONT enters, wrapped up in an old threadbare coat, with a book and papers.

			ANDREI
		Hullo my friend, what can I do for you?
			FERAPONT
		A book and some papers from the Chairman.  (He hands them over.)

			ANDREI
		Thanks - why so late, it’s past eight o’clock.

			FERAPONT
		Eh?

			ANDREI
		I said it’s late!

			FERAPONT
		I know, I’ve been hanging about, they said you were busy - well, I’m in no rush - eh?

			ANDREI
		I didn’t say anything.  (Looks at the book) Day off tomorrow - I’ll go in anyway, nothing to do here.

Pause.

			ANDREI
		Funny, isn’t it, old friend, the way things turn out.  I was feeling bored, picked up this book today - (laughs briefly) my university lectures, you have to laugh.  What am I now?  Secretary of the district council - under Protopopov for God’s sake - I get to be a member of the council - me - the man who dreams every night that he’s a professor of Moscow University, a famous scholar, pride of Russia!

			FERAPONT
		I wouldn’t know - I don’t hear very well.

			ANDREI
		I don’t suppose I’d be saying all this if you could.  I need someone to talk to.  My wife doesn’t understand, my sisters, I don’t know - I’m afraid of them, that they’ll poke fun, be ashamed of me......I don’t drink, I don’t like bars, but what I wouldn’t give right now to be in Moscow...sitting at Testov’s or in the Big Moscow, my dear.

			FERAPONT
		One of the contractors in the Council was telling us the other day about those merchants eating pancakes - one of them ate 40 at one go and dropped dead - either forty or fifty, can’t remember.

			ANDREI
		You sit in Moscow, in the huge hall of a restaurant, you don’t know anybody and nobody knows you and at the same time you don’t feel like a stranger.  Here you know everyone and everyone knows you but you’re a stranger...a total stranger.  And lonely.

			FERAPONT
		Eh?
		(Pause.)

		The same builder was saying - could have been lying - there’s a cable stretched across the whole of Moscow.

			ANDREI
		What for?

			FERAPONT
		No idea.  That’s what he were saying.

			ANDREI
		Rubbish.  (He reads.)  You ever been to Moscow?

			FERAPONT
		Eh?  (Pause.)  No.  Wasn’t God’s will.
Pause.

			FERAPONT
		Can I go?

			ANDREI
		Yes.  (FERAPONT goes.)

		Look after yourself.  (Reading.)  Come back tomorrow for the papers.  Off you go.

		(Pause.)  He’s gone.

		(A bell rings.)
		Ah...things to do...

ANDREI stretches, ambles off to his room.

Offstage NANNY sings, rocking the baby.  MASHA and VERSHININ enter.  Behind them the MAID lights the lamp and candles.

			MASHA
		I don’t know.

		(Pause.)

		Perhaps it’s what one’s used to.  It took us ages to get used to not having orderlies to look after things when Papa died.  But I - I do believe - well perhaps - it’s different in other places but in this town, most certainly, the most decent, generous, well-educated people are the military.

			VERSHININ
		I’d love some tea.

			MASHA
		(Looks at her watch) They’ll bring it soon.  I was married off at 18, I’d only just finished school and my husband was a teacher who of course seemed incredibly intelligent at the time.  Not now.

			VERSHININ
		Mmm...yes.

			MASHA
		Oh I’m not just...it’s not just my husband, I’m used to him.  There are so many people who are crude, un-educated, uncouth.  Rudeness worries me, it upsets me, I’m upset when I find someone unsubtle, lacking politeness, ill-mannered.  Being with his colleagues, the other teachers, is unbearable.

			VERSHININ
		Does it make any difference - I find as many civilians uninteresting as the military, at least in this town.  Talk to anyone educated - he’s either sick of his wife, fed up with his home, his estate, his horses.  Russians are capable of complexity, aspiration, yet their sights are set so low.  Why?

			MASHA
		Why indeed?

			VERSHININ
		Why is he worn out by his wife, his children - why are they sick of him?

			MASHA
		You’re very down today.

			VERSHININ
		I haven’t eaten.  One of my daughters is ill, it upsets me when that happens, I blame myself for landing them with their mother.  Ridiculous woman.  We started swearing at each other at seven, at nine I slammed the door and left.  (Pause.)  I never talk about this...odd, I only complain about it to you.  (He kisses her hard.)  Don’t be angry with me.  I have no-one apart from you, no-one at all...

			MASHA
		What a noise the stove’s making.  There was a noise like that in the pipes just before Papa died...just the same.

			VERSHININ
		Are you superstitious?

			MASHA
		Oh yes.

			VERSHININ
		Strange.  (Kisses her hand.)  You’re a wonderful, lovely woman.  Lovely, wonderful.  It’s dark in here but I can see your eyes shining.

			MASHA
		(Moves) It’s lighter here...

			VERSHININ
		I love you, I love you, I love you...I love your eyes, the way you move, you are in my dreams ...wonderful, lovely woman!

			MASHA
		(Laughing quietly) When you say things like that it makes me laugh, I don’t know why - it frightens me.  Please, don’t do it again... (whispers) yes do, say it, I don’t mind...(she covers her face with her hands) I don’t mind...Someone’s coming, talk about something else.

IRINA and TUZENBAKH enter.

			TUZENBAKH
		I have this triple-barrelled surname, I’m the Baron Tuzenbakh-Kroner Altschauer but I’m as Russian as you, Russian Orthodox...hardly any German left in me - patience perhaps, or is it persistence, I know I get on your nerves walking you home every night.

			IRINA
		I’m so tired.

			TUZENBAKH
		And I shall go on doing it, walking you home every night for ten, twenty years until you chase me off.  (He sees MASHA and VERSHININ) - oh hello, it’s you!

			IRINA
		Here I am at last.  (To MASHA) A woman came in to send a wire to her brother in Saratov to say that her son died today, but she couldn’t remember the address so she just put Saratov and stood there crying and I said “I haven’t got time for this” - I was so stupid.  Are the players still coming?

			MASHA
		Yes.

			IRINA
		(Sits in an arm chair) Oh I must sit down.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Smiling) When you come home from work you look so tiny -

			IRINA
		I’m tired!  I hate working in the post office.

			MASHA
		You’re thinner.  (She starts to whistle a tune.)  It makes you look like a boy.

			TUZENBAKH
		It’s her new hair-cut.

			IRINA
		I must find another job.  This one’s no good, there’s no poetry in it - just mindless routine.

		(A knock.)

		The doctor is knocking.  
			IRINA (Cont’d)
		(To TUZENBAKH)  Can you knock my dear I can’t, I’m tired...(TUZENBAKH knocks on the floor.)

		We must do something.  They were playing cards again last night, they said Andrei lost two hundred roubles.

			MASHA
		(Indifferent) Well if it’s gone, it’s gone.

			IRINA
		He lost two weeks ago and in December.  I wish he’d lose everything and we could get out of this town.  God, I dream of Moscow every night, I’m mad.  I know we’re moving in June but that still leaves February, March, April, May...nearly six months.

			MASHA
		Don’t tell Natasha that he lost.

			IRINA
		Why not, why should she care?

CHEBUTYKIN, risen from a nap, comes into the hall.  Combs his beard, sits at the table and takes out his newspaper.

			MASHA
		Oh, here he is.  Has he paid his rent?

			IRINA
		(Laughs) No, not a Kopek in eight months, he’s obviously forgotten.

			MASHA
		(Laughing) Look at him there, at peace with the world.

They laugh.  Pause.

			IRINA
		Why so quiet, Aleksander Ignatievich?

			VERSHININ
		I don’t know.  Tea - half my life for a cup of tea!  I haven’t eaten since this morning.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Irina Sergeyevna!

			IRINA
		What do you want?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Come here - venez ici.

		(She goes, sits at the table.)

		I can’t do without you.

IRINA sets out the cards for Patience.

			VERSHININ
		Well if there’s to be no tea, what about some high-flown discussion?

			TUZENBAKH
		Yes!  What about?

			VERSHININ
		Life in the future?  In 300 years?

			TUZENBAKH
		Mmm...life in the future.  Well - they’ll all be flying about in balloons...jackets will change... they’ll discover, perhaps, a sixth sense, develop it...but life will stay the same, full of difficulties, fortune or misfortune.  And in a 1,000 years man will sigh in just the same way “Oh how hard life is!” and exactly the same, he’ll be frightened and not want to die.

			VERSHININ
		(Thinks for a moment) How to explain it?  I think that everything on earth should change little by little - already it’s changing in front of our eyes.  In 200 - 300 - finally a 1,000 years - a new happy life will be here.  
			VERSHININ (Cont’d)
		We won’t be a part of it of course but we’ll work towards it, suffer, help to create - that is where our happiness lies.

MASHA laughs quietly.

			TUZENBAKH
		Why are you laughing?

			MASHA
		I don’t know.  I’ve been laughing all day, I don’t know why.

			VERSHININ
		I was a student like you, didn’t go on to the academy but I read a lot - probably useless books but I can’t help wanting to know more.  I’m getting old - look, I’ve got grey hairs, but I’ve learned one important fact.  There’s no such thing as happiness.  Not for us.  We can only work towards it, for our children and our children’s children.

FYODOTIK and RODEI appear in the hall, and start singing quietly to the guitar.

			TUZENBAKH
		Not even dream about happiness? - what if I do feel happy?

			VERSHININ
		No.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Claps his hands, laughs) How can I convince you, we’re obviously at cross purposes.

		(MASHA laughs quietly.)

		You may laugh.  Listen, even in a million years life will be just the same, following it’s own laws - birds migrating to and fro, on they go, that’s the way it is.

			MASHA
		Is there not meaning nonetheless?  But what will it mean?

			TUZENBAKH
		Mean?  Look, it’s snowing.  What does that mean?

Pause.

			MASHA
		We must have faith or life is empty - not to know why cranes fly, why children are born, the sky adorned with stars - either you know why you’re alive or life means nothing.

Pause.

			VERSHININ
		All the same, I’m sorry to say goodbye to my youth.

			MASHA
		As Gogol says: “Life’s a bore, friends.”

			TUZENBAKH
		Can’t argue with that, gentlemen.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Reading a newspaper.)  Balzac got married in Berdichev.

		(IRINA starts to sing quietly.)

		I must write that down in my little book.  (He writes) Balzac got married in Berdichev.  (He reads the newspaper.)

			IRINA
		(Laying out the cards.  Pensively) Balzac got married in Berdichev.

			TUZENBAKH
		The die’s cast.  (To MASHA) I’m resigning my commission, Maria Sergeyevna.
			MASHA
		So I heard, but I don’t like civilians.

			TUZENBAKH
		I’m not handsome enough for a soldier.  I’m going to work.  I’m going to work so hard for at least one day in my life  that I’ll fall asleep on the pillow.  (Goes to hall.)  Workers sleep soundly enough.

			FYODOTIK
		(To IRINA) I bought you some coloured pencils in Moscow Street...and this little knife...

			IRINA
		I’m not a child any more - (takes them)...oh, they’re lovely!

			FYODOTIK
		I bought a knife for myself, another knife, and another one, this one for cleaning your ears and these are scissors for the nails...

			RODEI
		(Loudly) How old are you doctor?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Me?  Thirty-two.

Laughter.

			FYODOTIK
		Let me show you another Patience.

The samovar is brought in.  ANFISA stands by it with a letter.  NATASHA enters and arranges the table.  SOLYONY enters, greets everyone and sits at the table.

			VERSHININ
		My God, the wind!

			MASHA
		Oh I’m so sick of winter - I can’t even remember summer!

			IRINA
		(Playing Patience) It’s going to come out.  We’re off to Moscow.

			FYODOTIK
		No, it’s not coming out - see the eight on the two of spades?  That means you won’t go to Moscow.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Reading the paper) Tzitzikar.  Smallpox.  An epidemic...

			ANFISA
		Mashenka, some tea...(To VERSHININ) Sir, please?  I’m sorry, your Honour, I’ve forgotten your name...

			MASHA
		Can I have it here, Nanny?

			IRINA
		Nanny!

			ANFISA
		Coming!

			NATASHA
		(To SOLYONY) Babies understand you know - they understand perfectly.  I said to Bobik “Hello, my darling” and his little face lit up, of course you’ll say it’s because I’m his mother but he is an exceptional child.

			SOLYONY
		If that child were mine I’d dip him in butter and fry him in a pan and eat him.  (Takes tea to the drawing room and sits in the corner.)

			NATASHA
		You are a vile, vulgar creature!

			MASHA
		Summer and winter, what’s the difference if you’re happy?  In Moscow I wouldn’t notice the seasons.

			VERSHININ
		Remember the Cabinet Minister jailed over the Panama affair?  Kept a diary about the birds outside his prison window, about the joy they gave him.  As soon as they freed him he stopped noticing the birds.

		You won’t notice Moscow when you’re living there.  Happiness is a state you hope for...it doesn’t exist.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Picks up a box) Where are the sweets?

			IRINA
		Solyony ate them.

			TUZENBAKH
		All of them?

			ANFISA
		(Serving tea) A letter for you, sir.

			VERSHININ
		For me?  (Takes it.) From my daughter.  (He reads.)  Yes of course.  Excuse me, Maria Sergeyevna, I must slip away.  (Shakes his head at proffered tea, rises, shaken.)  The old story.

			MASHA
		What is it?  Can you say?

			VERSHININ
		(Quietly) My wife’s taken poison again.  I must go - all so unpleasant.  (He kisses MASHA’S hand.)  Dear, dear Masha - I’ll go out this way - (leaves.)

			ANFISA
		Where is he, I’ve just poured his tea - he’s an odd sort of -

			MASHA
		(Angry) Oh leave it, and stop following me around, getting on my nerves, silly old woman!

			ANFISA
		What are you upset about?  Mashenka?

			ANDREI
		(Offstage) Anfisa!

			ANFISA
		(Imitating him) “Anfisa!”  He just sits there!  (Goes.)

			MASHA
		(By the table, angry) Oh let me sit down - cards all over the table...

			IRINA
		We’re playing!

			MASHA
		Drink your tea.

			IRINA
		Mashka, what are you upset about?

			MASHA
		Keep out of my way, just leave me alone.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Laughing) Don’t touch her, don’t touch her!

			MASHA
		Sixty years old!  For God’s sakes act your age or shut up.

			NATASHA
		(Sighs) Masha, dear Masha, must you?  With your looks you could be a real success in society if it weren’t for - je vous en prie, pardonnez-moi, Marie, mais vous avez des manières un peu grossières.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Trying not to laugh) Could you - I - I think I need a cognac...

			NATASHA
		Il paraît que mon Bobik déjà ne dort pas, he’s woken up, he’s not well today, I must go, excuse me...(Goes.)

			IRINA
		Where did the Colonel go?
	
			MASHA
		Home.  His wife again.  (Pulls a face.)

			TUZENBAKH
		(Crosses to SOLYONY with cognac) You’re always on your own with your thoughts - come on, let’s make it up, have a brandy.

		(They drink.)

		Dare say they’ll have me at the piano all night playing rubbish - never mind -

			SOLYONY
		What do you mean, make it up?  I haven’t said anything.

			TUZENBAKH
		You always make me feel something’s wrong between us.  You’re an odd one.

			SOLYONY
		(Declaiming) Didn’t they tell you, didn’t you know.  That I am different, Aleko?

			TUZENBAKH
		What’s Aleko got to do with it?

Pause.

			SOLYONY
		When I’m just alone with someone else I’m fine but in company I tighten up, then I talk a lot of rubbish - doesn’t mean anything.  I’m a lot straighter than many, and I can prove it.

			TUZENBAKH
		I don’t like the way you go on at me in front of people, still I like you.  Let’s get drunk, I want to get drunk today.

			SOLYONY
		Right.

They drink.

			SOLYONY
		I’ve never had anything against you, Baron, but I’m like Lermontov.  Nothing I can do about it, they tell me I even look like him.  (Takes out a bottle of cologne, sprinkles his hands.)

			TUZENBAKH
		I’ve resigned my commission.  Finita! - been thinking about it for five years, done it at last.  I’m going to work, I’ve made up my mind.

			SOLYONY
		(Declaiming) “Forget your dreams, Aleko.”

ANDREI enters quietly with a book, sits by candles.

			TUZENBAKH
		I shall work.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Goes into drawing room with IRINA) And they served us genuine Caucasian food - soup with onion followed by chekartma, a meat dish.

			SOLYONY
		Chereshma isn’t meat, it’s a plant like an onion.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		No, dear heart.  Chekartma is a meat, like lamb.

			SOLYONY
		And I’m telling you that cheresma is onion.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		And I’m telling you that chekartma is lamb.

			SOYONY
		And I’m telling you that cheresma is onion.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		I’m not going to argue with you - you’ve never been to the Caucasus and you haven’t eaten chekartma.

			SOLYONY
		Because I can’t bear it - it smells like garlic.

			ANDREI
		Gentlemen, please!

			TUZENBAKH
		When are the players coming?

			IRINA
		Nine o’clock, they’re due now.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Embracing ANDREI, sings) “Here’s a doorway made of maple.”

He hums a folksong, leads ANDREI into the dance that goes with it.  CHEBUTYKIN joins in.  Laughter.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Kisses ANDREI) A drink, Andrusha - to our friendship - and to both of us - in the university - in Moscow.

			SOLYONY
		Which one - there are two in Moscow.

			ANDREI
		There’s one university in Moscow.

			SOLYONY
		And I’m telling you two.

			ANDREI
		Three - the more the merrier -

			SOLYONY
		Two!  The old one and the new one - if you don’t want to know, to hell with you, I’m off.  (Goes out.)

			TUZENBAKH
		Bravo, bravo!  (Laughs) Gentlemen...music!  Never mind Solyony - (he sits at the piano and plays a waltz.)

			MASHA
		(Dancing alone) The Baron is drunk, is drunk, is drunk!

			NATASHA
		(Enters.  To CHEBUTYKIN) Ivan Romanovich!  (She speaks to him quietly, leaves.  CHEBUTYKIN touches TUZENBAKH on the shoulder, whispers to him.)

			IRINA
		What?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		We’d better be off - goodnight.

			TUZENBAKH
		Time to go - goodnight.

			IRINA
		But what about the players?

			ANDREI
		(Embarrassed) We’ve had to put them off, Natasha says Bobik’s not well - I really don’t know...it’s all the same to me.

			IRINA
		(Shrugs) Oh well, if Bobik’s not well...

			MASHA
		She’s throwing us out.  (To IRINA) It’s not Bobik who’s ill, it’s her!  (Taps her forehead.)  Petit-bourgeoise!

ANDREI exits to his room.   CHEBUTYKIN follows, they say goodbye in the back room.

			FYODOTIK
		What a shame, I was looking forward to being here for the evening, but of course if the baby’s ill...I’ll bring him a little toy tomorrow.

			RODEI
		(Loudly) I’ve just had a good long sleep, I’d thought I’d be dancing half the night - it’s only nine o’clock.

			MASHA
		Let’s go outside - we’ll decide what to do.

We hear them say goodbye, and TUZENBAKH’S laugh.  ANFISA and the MAID clear the table, put out the candles.  NANNY can be heard singing.  ANDREI, in hat and coat, enters quietly with CHEBUTYKIN.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		I never got round to marrying.  Life flashed by so quickly and in any case I was hopelessly in love with your mother who was married already.

			ANDREI
		Why marry?  It’s boring.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		What about loneliness?  Say what you like, dear boy, it’s a terrible state, loneliness - ghastly - well, what difference does it make in the end?

			ANDREI
		Let’s go.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Why, what’s the hurry?

			ANDREI
		Natasha, she’ll try and stop me.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Ah!

			ANDREI
		I shan’t play cards tonight, I’ll sit and watch - I’ve been feeling short of breath, Doctor, what -

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Oh don’t ask me, dear boy, I don’t remember, no idea of medicine these days.

			ANDREI
		Let’s go through the kitchen.

They leave.  A bell rings, and again.  Voices and laughter.
IRINA enters.

			IRINA
		(To ANFISA) Who is it?

			ANFISA
		The players, from the carnival.

Another ring.

			IRINA
		You’ll have to say we’re not at home, Nanny.  Say we’re sorry.

ANFISA exits.  IRINA walks about deep in thought.  She seems anxious.  SOLYONY enters.

			SOLYONY
		Where is everybody?

			IRINA
		They’ve gone home.

			SOLYONY
		Strange.  Are you on your own?

			IRINA
		As you see.

		(Pause.)

		Good night.

			SOLYONY
		I apologize for earlier.  I wasn’t myself.  Very tactless.  I’m sorry.  But you see you’re not like the others, you’re pure, splendid, you see the truth...only you - only you can understand me.  I love you, deeply, endlessly love -

			IRINA
		Goodbye.  Please - leave...you must.

			SOLYONY
		I can’t live without you.  (Approaches.)  Oh - bliss!  Your eyes - those wonderful eyes, I’ve never seen such eyes -

			IRINA
		(Coldly) Stop, please.

			SOLYONY
		It’s the first time I’ve - I haven’t spoken of my love before - it’s as though I’m no longer on earth, on another planet (rubs his forehead) - anyway, no matter.  Obviously I can’t make you - but I swear I’ll kill any other man who comes near you...oh, wonderful!

NATASHA comes through with a candle.  Looks in doors for her husband.

			NATASHA
		Andrei’s in there - oh, must be reading.  Captain Solyony.  I’m sorry, I didn’t see you - forgive me, I’m not dressed for visitors.

			SOLYONY
		No matter.  Goodbye.  (Leaves.)

			NATASHA
		My poor girl, you’re tired.  (Kisses IRINA.)  You should have been in bed hours ago.

			IRINA
		Is Bobik asleep?

			NATASHA
		Yes but he’s very restless.  By the way, I’ve been meaning to say but I can’t seem to catch you - Bobik’s nursery is so cold and damp, and your room would be perfect for him, could you move in with Olga?

			IRINA
		(Not comprehending) What?

The sound of a troika, with bells.

			NATASHA
		You’ll be in with Olga and Bobik in your room.  He’s such a darling.  Today I said “Oh Bobik my little one, my little one” he looked up at me with those teensy little eyes.

		(Doorbell.)

			NATASHA (Cont’d)
		That must be Olga.  She’s terribly late.

		(The MAID approaches, whispers in NATASHA’S ear.)

		Protopopov?  What an odd fellow, he wants me to go riding with him in his troika.  (Laughs.)

		These men!

		(A bell.)

		He should have been here 15 minutes ago.  (To the MAID) Tell him I’m coming. (Goes.) 

The MAID goes.  IRINA sits, wrapped in thought.  KULYGIN, OLGA and then VERSHININ enter.

			KULYGIN
		What’s all this...isn’t there a party?

			VERSHININ
		When I left half an hour ago you were waiting for the players.

			IRINA
		Everyone’s gone.

			KULYGIN
		And Masha?  Where’s Masha?  Why’s Protopopov down below in a troika - who’s he waiting for?

			IRINA
		Oh don’t, I’m tired.

			KULYGIN
		I’m sorry I spoke.

			OLGA
		My meeting’s only just finished - I’ve been deputising for the headmistress - ohh, my head. (Sits)Yesterday Andrei lost two hundred at cards - the whole town’s talking about it.
			VERSHININ
		Sorry to disappear.  My wife tried to put the wind up me by taking poison.  It’s all right, she’s all right, they got her round.  Well, time to go, I suppose.  May I wish you all the best?  (To KULYGIN) Fyodor Ilich, could we go somewhere - I really can’t go home just now, I just can’t.

			KULYGIN
		I’m sorry.  I’m tired.  (Stands) So tired.  My wife gone home has she?

			IRINA
		She must have.

			KULYGIN
		(Kisses IRINA’S hand.)  Goodbye then.  Tomorrow and the day after I have all day to rest.  I was counting on some pleasant company tonight - oh fallacem hominem spen! - accusative case for exclamations.

			VERSHININ
		Well I refuse to go home alone.  (He goes with KULYGIN, whistling.)

			OLGA
		Oh my poor head.  The whole town is talking.  I’ll go and lie down.  No work tomorrow, thank God, or the day after.  Oh my head...(she goes.)

			IRINA
		(Alone) All gone.  Nobody here.

The sound of an accordion on the street.  The NANNY sings a song, off.

NATASHA enters in her fur coat and hat followed by the MAID.  They cross the back room.

			NATASHA
		I’ll be back in half an hour.  I’m just going for a drive.

NATASHA and the MAID exit.
			IRINA
		(Alone and sad) To Moscow!  To Moscow!  To Moscow!

ACT THREE

OLGA and IRINA’S room.  Beds left and right, bordered by screens.  Two am at night.  Offstage a repeating alarm bell rings - a fire alarm.  Everyone still up, MASHA on the sofa in her usual black dress.  OLGA and ANFISA enter.

			ANFISA
		They’re all sitting down below, under the stairs.  I said “Come up” but they won’t, they keep saying “Where’s Papa, where is he, is he  burned to bits?”  People everywhere and there in the courtyard only half-dressed.

			OLGA
		(Taking dresses from the cupboard) Here, take this grey one, and this, and the blouse - here, a skirt, Nanny - My God, what a thing to happen!  Kirsanovsky Alley, burnt to the ground!  (Throwing skirt at NANNY.)  The Vershinins got a terrible fright, poor things - nearly lost their house!...they must stay here tonight, they can’t go back there.  Poor Fyodotik - nothing left - every stick in the world gone, poor man!

			ANFISA
		I can’t carry all this Olyusha, you’ll have to call Ferapont.

			OLGA
		(Ringing the bell) I keep trying...(opens the door) Is anybody there - can somebody come please?

Through the open door, a red glow of fire.  The sound of a fire brigade passing.

			OLGA
		What a nightmare.  I’ve had enough!

		(FERAPONT enters.)

		Here, take these down, give them to the Kolotilin girls, you’ll find them under the stairs.  (Piles him with clothes.)  And these.
		
FERAPONT
		Yes mum.  It was Moscow was on fire in 1812, that gave the Frenchies a shock.

			OLGA
		Go on - move!

			FERAPONT
		Yes’m.  (Leaves.)

			OLGA
		Give it all away, Nanny, we don’t need it - God, I’m so tired I can hardly stand.  The Vershinins can’t possibly go home, we’ll put the girls in the living room, the Colonel with the Baron and Fyodotik, or he can sleep in the hall.  Of course the doctor’s drunk today of all days, we can’t put anyone with him - he does it on purpose.  Vershinin’s wife can go in with the girls.

			ANFISA
		(Exhausted) Olyusha dearest, you won’t turn me out will you?

			OLGA
		Nanny don’t talk nonsense, nobody’s going to turn you out.

			ANFISA
		(Lays her head on OLGA’S breast) Oh my own precious, I do work hard, I do, but when I get weak it’ll be “Go!” but where will I go?  I’m eighty - in my eighty-first year...

			OLGA
		Sit down, Nanny poor love, you’re tired out.  Sit down, have a rest - you’re white as a ghost.  (She helps ANFISA to a seat.)

NATASHA enters.

			NATASHA
		They’re saying we must form a relief committee for people who’ve lost their homes in the fire - very good idea, it’s the duty of the rich to help the poor.  Bobik and Sofochka are fast asleep, as if nothing had happened!  So many people in the house - nowhere to turn - now they say flu’s spreading in the town, I’m worried the children might get it.

			OLGA
		(Not listening) You can’t see the fire from this room - it’s so peaceful in here.

			NATASHA
		Oh dear, I must look a fright.  (In front of the mirror) People say I’ve put on weight - not a bit of it!  Look at Masha fast asleep, exhausted, poor love - (To ANFISA, coldly) How dare you sit in my presence!  Get up!  Get out!

		(ANFISA leaves.  Pause.)

		Why do you keep that old woman.  I don’t understand you.

			OLGA
		(Taken aback.)  I’m sorry.  I don’t understand you.

			NATASHA
		What is she here for, she’s no use to us, she’s a peasant, waste of money - send her back to her village.  I like a house in order, not full of useless servants - oh you poor thing, you’re tired...our headmistress is tired - mind you, when Sofochka’s big enough to go to school I shall be scared of you.

			OLGA
		I shan’t be headmistress.

			NATASHA
		You will, Olechka.  It’s been decided.
			OLGA
		I shall say no...I can’t, I don’t have the strength.  (Drinks water) You were so rude to Nanny just now - I’m sorry, it made me feel quite ill.

			NATASHA
		(Worried) I didn’t mean to upset you.

MASHA rises, takes up her pillow and leaves in a rage.

			OLGA
		It’s the way we were brought up - when people are rude, unkind, it makes me feel ill.

			NATASHA
		I’m sorry, I’m sorry...(kisses her.)

			OLGA
		Just the slightest - a harsh word to a servant - and I - I can’t...

			NATASHA
		I know I speak out of turn sometimes but you must agree, she should be back in the village where she belongs.

			OLGA
		But she’s been with us for 30 years!

			NATASHA
		I know but she can’t work any more!  Either I don’t understand you, or you won’t understand me.  She’s incapable...she just sleeps or sits.

			OLGA
		So let her sit.

			NATASHA
		(Surprised) How can I do that?  She’s a servant!  (Tearful) I don’t understand you, Olya.  I have a nanny, a wet-nurse, a maid, a cook...why do we need this old woman...what for? 
The fire alarm is sounding outside.

			OLGA
		I’ve aged ten years tonight.

			NATASHA
		No, we must have this out once and for all.  You’re at school, I’m at home.  You teach, I run this house.  And if I say something about the servants I know what I’m talking about - I - know - what - I’m - talking - about - I want that thieving old hag - that old witch out of here!  (Stamping her feet.)  Don’t you dare irritate me like this, don’t you dare!  (Controls herself.)  You’ll have to move downstairs, we can’t go on like this - impossible.

KULYGIN enters.

			KULYGIN
		Where’s Masha, we should be getting home - the fire’s dying down they say.  (Stretches) Only one block gone, the wind made it look bad for a time, as if the whole town was burning.  (Sits) I’m exhausted.  Oh Olya, if it weren’t for Masha I’d have married you, such a good person.  I’m worn out.

He listens.

			OLGA
		What?

			KULYGIN
		The doctor - drunk again, on one of his - you’d think it was deliberate.  (Stands up) I think I can - yes, that’s him, the old so-and-so - I think I’ll...(secretes himself in a corner)...God, he’s a waste of time.

			OLGA
		He hasn’t had a drink for two years, all of a sudden this...(Goes with NATASHA to the back of the room.)

CHEBUTYKIN enters, cross the room with a deliberately steady gait, looks around, then crosses, washes his hands.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Gloomily) Blast the lot of them.  I’m the doctor, I can cure everything - wrong!  If I knew anything once...all forgotten...nothing left...all gone.

		(Unnoticed by him, OLGA and NATASHA leave.)

		That woman at Zaseep last Wednesday - she’s dead and I feel guilty because she died.  Twenty five years ago I knew something - a few......now - nothing.  My head is empty, my soul is cold.  Am I a man?  Do I have arms, legs, a head?  Do I walk, eat, sleep - exist?  (Cries)  If only I didn’t.  (Stops crying) Who in hell knows.  At the Club that stuff about Voltaire, Shakespeare...all sitting there as though we’d read, knew all about...seedy bloody lot, all I could remember was the woman lying dead, that’s all I could think of.  I’m repulsive.  Get drunk - what else is there?

IRINA, VERSHININ and TUZENBAKH enter, the latter in smart new civilian clothes.

			IRINA
		This will do - nobody comes here.

			VERSHININ
		If it weren’t for the soldiers the whole town would have gone up.  Fine boys!

			KULYGIN
		(Approaches) Does anyone have the time?

			TUZENBAKH
		After three...it’s getting light.

			IRINA
		Everyone’s in the back room, nobody wants to leave.  Your precious Solyony’s there too.  (To CHEBUTYKIN) You’d better be getting to bed, Doctor.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		I’m fine, thank you.  (Stroking his beard.)

			KULYGIN
		(Laughing) Well tanked up, eh?  (Claps him on the shoulder) Good lord - in vino veritas, yes?

			TUZENBAKH
		I keep being asked to organise a concert - for the fire victims.

			IRINA
		Who’d be in it?

			TUZENBAKH
		I could organise something - Maria Sergeyevna, on the grand piano...

			KULYGIN
		She plays wonderfully.

			IRINA
		Masha hasn’t played for years.

			TUZENBAKH
		Nobody in this town knows anything about music apart from me - I can assure you, Masha is a magnificent pianist - almost gifted.

			KULYGIN
		Quite right, Baron.  I adore Masha - splendid woman.

			TUZENBAKH
		To play like that knowing that there is nobody - nobody around to appreciate it.

			KULYGIN
		(Sighs) Mmm - but would it be all right, d’you think for Masha...as my wife...to take part in a public concert?
Pause.

			KULYGIN (Cont’d)
		I mean, I...it might be acceptable, but our headmaster - his views are - very clever man of course - it’s not his business but - I’ll have a word with him if you like.

CHEBUTYKIN picks up a porcelain clock and examines it.

			VERSHININ
		I’m filthy - dirty work, fighting fires, I don’t look human.

		(Pause.)

		I heard yesterday that we may be transferred.  The brigade’s going somewhere - Poland - Siberia - long way anyway.

			TUZENBAKH
		I heard that.  The town will be deserted without the army.

			IRINA
		And we’ll be leaving too!

CHEBUTYKIN drops the clock, which smashes.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Whoops!

Pause.  Everyone is upset.  TUZENBAKH snoozes.

			KULYGIN
		(Picking up the pieces.)  Ivan Romanovich - how could you?  Something so valuable - Z minus for behaviour!

			IRINA
		That was Mama’s clock.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		All right, if it was Mama’s it was Mama’s.  Maybe I didn’t break it, it only seems that I did.  Maybe we only seem to exist when in fact we don’t...I don’t know anything, who does? 

		(By the door.)  Why look at me like that... Natasha’s having a little affair with Protopopov but you don’t see that, you don’t see anything...you just sit there and you see nothing...(sings to himself as he leaves.)

			VERSHININ
		Yes...(he laughs.)  What a strange night!

		(Pause.)

		I ran home as soon as the fire started - the house is fine, but the girls are on the doorstep in their nightclothes - no sign of their mother - people, horses, dogs running about, and the look on their faces!  I thought, my God, what will they have to live through in the years to come?  I grabbed them and ran, and all I could think of was - what will they have to live through, my girls?

		(A fire bell.  Pause.)

		When I arrived who do I see?  Their mother, screaming and shouting.

		(MASHA enters with her pillow and sits on the sofa.)

		When my girls were on the doorstep in their nightdresses and the street was lit by the flames I stood there thinking, this is how it must have been before, when there was looting and burning - but think of the difference between then and now.  Another two, three hundred years and they’ll look back on us with horror and amazement - it’ll all seem primitive in comparison.  What a life it’ll be - oh what a life! 
			VERSHININ (Cont’d)
		(Laughs) Forgive me, I’m off again - indulge me if you can I’m in the mood for it.   (Pause.)  It’s as if the whole world is asleep, hasn’t  woken up yet so that all we can do is imagine how it will be when it does.  Here, in this town, how many people like you - two - three?  But there’ll be more - and more - better and better, leaving you behind...(laughs) God, I’m in a weird mood today - I’m in the mood for life!  

		(Sings) “Love will triumph, love will triumph,
		Love will make the choice,
		Lovers, submit to love’s command,
		True love’s persuasive voice.”

			MASHA
		Tra la la.

			VERSHININ
		Tra la.

			MASHA
		Tra la la?

			VERSHININ
		Tra la la.  (He laughs.)

FYODOTIK enters.

			FYODOTIK
		(Dancing) All gone!  Burnt to the ground!

Laughter.

			IRINA
		What’s so funny?  How can you laugh?

			FYODOTIK
		(Laughs) Everything gone, nothing left.  The guitar burnt, the photographs burnt, all my letters.  The book I wanted to give you - burnt.

SOLYONY enters.

			IRINA
		No, please go away, Vasily Vasilievich.  You can’t come here.

			SOLYONY
		Why the Baron and not me?

			VERSHININ
		We must be going anyway.  How’s the fire?

			SOLYONY
		Dying down, they say.  Why the Baron and not me?  (Sprays himself with cologne.)

			VERSHININ
		(Sings) Tra-la-la!

			MARSHA
		(Sings) Tra-la-la!

			VERSHININ
		(Laughs, to SOLYONY) Shall we go into the hall?

			SOLYONY
		Good, write that down - “Make it an engaging piece, Sharp enough to tease the geese” - (looking at TUZENBAKH) Chirp, chirp, chirp...

VERSHININ and FYODOTIK leave.

			IRINA
		Wretched Solyony - the room stinks of smoke.  The Baron’s gone to sleep.  Baron!  Baron!

			TUZENBAKH
		(Waking) Mmm, yes...the bricky and...I’m not raving, I’m going to work in a brickyard, I’ve made up my mind, I’ve started some arrangements - the manager says - 

			TUZENBAKH (Cont’d)
		(Tenderly to IRINA) Oh you are so splendid...your skin so white, you shine like a candle in the dark air...like a star - why be unhappy?  Come away with me - we’ll leave together, work together!

			MASHA
		Nikolai Lvovich, go away.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Laughing) Oh are you here?...I can’t see you.  (Kisses IRINA’S hand.)  I’m going.  I remember a morning, a long time ago, it was your birthday.  You were so full of life, talked about the joy of working - life seemed so possible, so promising then.  What’s happened  - where has it gone?  (Kisses her hand.)  You’re crying.  Go to bed, it’s getting light - oh if only you would let me devote my life to you!

			MASHA
		Nikolai Lvovich, go away - honestly -

			TUZENBAKH
		I’m going.  (He goes.)

			MASHA
		(Lying down.)  Are you asleep, Fyodor?

			KULYGIN
		Mmm?

			MASHA
		You should go home.

			KULYGIN
		Masha, my darling Masha...

			IRINA
		She’s exhausted, Fodya, let her rest.

			KULYGIN
		I’ll go in a minute, my wonderful wife...my one and only.  I love you...

			MASHA
		(Angry) Amo, amas, amat, amamus, amatis, amant.

			KULYGIN
		(Laughing) No, it’s true, she’s amazing.  I’ve been married to you for seven years, it’s as though it was yesterday morning.  No, it’s true, you’re an astonishing woman - I’m happy, I’m happy, I’m happy!

			MASHA
		And I’m fed up, I’m fed up...fed up!  (She sits up.)  No, I can’t keep quiet any longer, I can’t get it out of my head.  It’s Andrei.  He’s mortgaged this house to the bank and his wife’s sitting on the money.  The house doesn’t belong to him, it belongs to all four of us - if he’d an ounce of decency he’d remember that.

			KULYGIN
		He owes money to half the town, Masha.

			MASHA
		Well it’s infuriating - disgusting.  (She lies down.)

			KULYGIN
		We’re not poor.  I teach, I tutor...I’m honest.   Omnia mea mecum porto, as they say. 

			MASHA
		I don’t need anything, but it isn’t right and he knows it.

		(Pause.)

		Go home, Fyodor.

			KULYGIN
		(Kisses her.)  You’re tired.  Have a rest for half an hour.  I’ll wait for you in there.  (He goes.)  I’m happy...I’m happy...I’m happy...

			IRINA
		It’s true, Andrei’s not the same since he married that woman.  All his ambition is gone, he even looks older.  At one time he was going to be a professor - yesterday he was over the moon because he’s finally on the local council - he’s a member and Protopopov is the Chairman.  The whole town’s laughing - he’s the only one who doesn’t see it!  What does he do when everyone else is out on the street fighting the fire?  He’s sitting in his room playing the violin.  The violin!  (Nervously) Oh, it’s awful!  (Cries) I can’t bear it any more, I can’t.

OLGA enters to clear up her little table, is arrested by IRINA’S distress.

			OLGA
		Darling, what is it?  What’s the matter?

			IRINA
		(Sobbing) Where is it all gone...where did it go - oh my God, I’ve forgotten everything!  It’s all a muddle in my head, I don’t remember the Italian for window, I’ve forgotten everything, more and more every day.  Life slips away and it won’t come back.  We’ll never go to Moscow...I see that - we won’t, we won’t...we won’t...

			OLGA
		Darling, darling...

			IRINA
		(Restrains herself.)  I’m so unhappy - I can’t work, I can’t bear the work - the post office, now the drudgery at the council, I hate it, everything about it - I’m 24.  My brain’s dried up, I’m getting stupid, I’m getting old and there’s nothing - nothing - no satisfaction and
			IRINA (Cont’d)
		I seem to be going further and further away from life, falling into a pit, into the abyss, why I haven’t killed myself God only knows, I don’t...

			OLGA
		Don’t cry, darling, don’t...I can’t bear it...

			IRINA
		I’m not crying, I’m not...I’ve stopped - look, I’ve stopped.

			OLGA
		Listen.  Listen darling.  I’m talking to you as your sister - your friend.  Take my advice, marry the Baron.

		(IRINA weeps quietly.)

		You like him, you respect him...true, he isn’t handsome but he’s a decent, honourable man.  People don’t marry for love you know.

			IRINA
		Then why?

			OLGA
		For duty.  I’d marry without love as long as he was decent - even if he was old.
	
			IRINA
		I kept waiting until we reached Moscow where I’d meet the man of my dreams and love him... where else?  It’s all rubbish.  I’m such a fool.

			OLGA
		(Embraces IRINA) My darling, beautiful sister, I do understand.  When the Baron left the army and came here in a suit I thought “Oh! - he isn’t handsome any more” and I cried! When he asked me what was the matter, what could I say?  But if God ordered him to marry you I’d be happy.

NATASHA crosses with a candle in silence.

			MASHA
		(Sits) Walking about as though she started the fire.

			OLGA
		Masha you are idiotic, you really are.

			MASHA
		(After a pause.)  Oh darling sisters, I’m going to tell you something - I can’t keep it to myself any longer, I’m in agony - I’m going to tell you - nobody else - ever - it’s my secret, I can’t stay silent any longer.

		(Pause.)

		I love him.  Oh it’s no use.  I love him.  Vershinin.

			OLGA
		(Goes behind a screen.)  Don’t - in any case I can’t hear you.

			MASHA
		What can I do?  (Holds her head.)  I thought he was odd at first...then I pitied him... then I fell in love with him.  With his voice, everything he said, his unhappiness, his daughters...

			OLGA
		(Behind the screen.)  I can’t hear you, whatever you’re saying, I can’t hear it.

			MASHA
		You’re being stupid - can’t you understand, I love him.  That’s how it is.  That’s my lot.  And he loves me.  It’s terrifying - and wonderful.  (She pulls IRINA down to herself.)  Oh my dear - we get through our lives somehow....not like a novel where everything is resolved and makes sense, everything clear - but it isn’t is it?
			MASHA (Cont’d)
		I’m in love and it’s all strange - different - I don’t know what to say, to do - oh my dear sisters!  Now you know.  You must be quiet - no more from me, like Gogol’s madman I shall hold my tongue.  Sssh.

ANDREI enters, followed by FERAPONT.

			ANDREI
		(Angry) I don’t understand, what do you want?

			FERAPONT
		Andrei Sergeyevich, I’ve explained it to you ten times already...

			ANDREI
		In the first place I’m not Andrei Sergeyevich to you, I’m Your Honour!

			FERAPONT
		The firemen want to know if they can get to the river through the garden, otherwise they’ll have to break their backs going the long way round.

			ANDREI
		All right, tell them yes, all right.

		(FERAPONT leaves.)

		I’m sick of the sight of them.  Where’s Olga?  (OLGA appears from behind the screen.)

		I can’t find the key to the cupboard, can I have yours, the little key...(OLGA gives him the key.  IRINA goes behind the screen.)  God, what a fire!  Enormous!  Dying down, now.  Damned Ferapont irritated me so much I was yelling at him to call me your Honour.  (Pause.)  What’s the matter, Olga?  (Pause.)  We’re all here - let’s have it out, now, once and for all.  What is it - what have you got against me?
			OLGA
		Not now, Andrusha.  Tomorrow.  (Getting upset.)  Oh, what a night!

			ANDREI
		(Embarrassed) Look, there’s no need to get upset, just tell me straight out, what have you all got against me?  Just say!

VERSHININ singing offstage.

			VERSHININ
		Tra - la - la!

			MASHA
		Tra - la - la.  (To OLGA) Good night, Olya, God be with you.  (Goes to screen, kisses IRINA.)  Sleep well.  Night, Andrei - leave it for now, they’re exhausted, we’ll sort it out tomorrow.  (She goes.)

			OLGA
		Andrusha leave it till tomorrow - time for bed.  (Going behind screen.)

			ANDREI
		I’ll just say this and then I’ll go.  I know you’ve got something against Natasha.  I’ve been aware of it since the day we married.  Natasha is a wonderful person.  I love my wife and I respect her, and I expect others to respect her too.  (Pause.)  The other thing.  I’m sorry to disappoint you.  I’m not a professor, nor an academic now.  I’m a member of the local council and proud of it.  (Pause.)  There’s something else.  I did mortgage the house without asking you, and I apologise for that.  I’m sorry...I had to do it.  I was in debt, but I’ve given up cards ages ago and I can say, in justification, that you girls get an annuity whereas I...that’s to say I don’t have an income.

Pause.

			KULYGIN
		(At the door.)  Is Masha here?  That’s odd...where is she?  (He goes.)

			ANDREI
		They’re not listening.  Natasha’s a wonderful woman.  (He paces the stage.  And stops.)  When I got married, I thought we’d all be happy but...my God...(he cries)...oh my dear sisters - not true - don’t believe a word of it... (He leaves.)

			KULYGIN
		(At the door.)  Where’s Masha, why isn’t she here?  I don’t know.  (He goes.)

The stage is empty.  The alarm sounds.

			IRINA
		(Behind the screen.)  Olya - who’s knocking?

			OLGA
		It’s the doctor.  He’s drunk.

			IRINA
		Oh, what a night.

		(Pause.)

		Olya!  (Looks out.)  Did you hear?  The brigade’s being transferred - somewhere far away.

			OLGA
		It’s only a rumour.
	
			IRINA
		We’ll be all on our own.  Olya!

			OLGA
		What?

			IRINA
		Darling, I do respect the Baron, he’s a fine man, all right, I will marry him only we must, we must go to Moscow!  Please...please...it’s the only place in the world - we must go Olya...we must!

ACT FOUR

The old garden by the Prozorov house.  An alley of fir-trees, a river beyond, beyond that, forest.  Verandah on the right, bottles on table.  Champagne has been drunk.  Midday.  People pass in the background.  A squad of SOLDIERS march by.

CHEBUTYKIN, genial throughout the act, in an armchair, waiting to be called.  He carries a stick, wears a military cap.  IRINA, KULYGIN wearing a medal around his neck, without his moustache, and TUZENBAKH stand on the verandah  waiting to say goodbye to FYODOTIK and RODEI, who approach in campaign uniform.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Embracing FYODOTIK) Good man - we’ve been good friends.  (Kisses RODEI) And you, Rodei - goodbye!

			IRINA
		Au revoir!

			FYODOTIK
		Adieu.  We won’t meet again.

			KULYGIN
		Who’s to say - oh look, I’m crying!

			IRINA
		We’ll meet again.

			FYODOTIK
		In ten...fifteen years?  We won’t know one another, we’ll be strangers.  (Takes a photo.)  One more.

			RODEI
		(Embraces TUZENBAKH.)  We’ll never meet again...(embraces him)...never again...(Kisses IRINA’S hand.)  Thank you for everything - everything!

			FYODOTIK
		(Cross) Stand still!

			TUZENBAKH
		God willing we’ll see each other again.  Write ...be sure to write.
			RODEI
		(Looks around) Goodbye, trees!  (Calls) Hup - hup!

		(Pause.)

		Farewell, echo!

			KULYGIN
		Who knows, you might get married in Poland - find a little Polish wife to call Kokhane - beloved!

			FYODOTIK
		(Glancing at his watch.)  We’ll be off in an hour.  Solyony’s the only one from our battery going on the barge, the rest of us are marching.  Three batteries go today, tomorrow another three and then peace and quiet all over town.

			TUZENBAKH
		And a deadly boredom.

			RODEI
		(To KULYGIN.)  Your wife?

			KULYGIN
		Masha?  In the garden.

			FYODOTIK
		We must say goodbye to her.

			RODEI
		Goodbye, must be off or I’ll be in tears.  (Hugs TUZENBAKH and KULYGIN, quickly kisses IRINA’S hand.)  It’s been wonderful here.

			FYODOTIK
		(To KULYGIN) A little book and a pencil, to remember us by - we’ll go by the river - (They leave, looking around them.)

			RODEI
		(Shouts) Hup-hup!
			KULYGIN
		(Shouts) Goodbye!

FYODOTIK and RODEI, upstage, bid MASHA farewell.  They exit together.

			IRINA
		They’re gone...(she sits on the verandah’s lowest step.)

			CHEBUTYKIN
		They didn’t say goodbye to me.

			IRINA
		What about you?  You didn’t say -

			CHEBUTYKIN
		No, I forgot somehow.  Anyway, I’ll be seeing them soon.  I’m off tomorrow - one more day and that’s it.  A year’s time I’ll be retired  (puts his newspaper away, takes out another) - a changed man...quiet, sober - a decent fellow.

			IRINA
		A very good idea - advisable.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		I agree.  (Sings) Tarara boomdeay, I’m on the fence today -

			KULYGIN
		Ivan Romanovich, you’re incorrigible!

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Yes, I should have listened to you.  You’d have made a new man of me.

			IRINA
		Why did you shave off your moustache?  I can’t bear to look at you.

			KULYGIN
		Why not?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Do you want to know what you look like?  No, better not.

			KULYGIN
		Why?  It’s the way to look now - a la mode -the headmaster shaves his off, he’s always ahead, so when I became an inspector - off.  Nobody likes it, but I’m happy with a moustache or without one.  (Sits.)

ANDREI appears apart, pushing a pram.

			IRINA
		Ivan Romanovich...dear Doctor, you were on the boulevard yesterday - what happened?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		What happened?  Nothing.  (Reads his paper.)  Just some nonsense.  Nothing important.

			KULYGIN
		The way I heard it, the Baron and Solyony bumped into each other outside the theatre...

			TUZENBAKH
		Please - that’s enough...(waves a dismissive hand, goes into the house.)

			KULYGIN
		Solyony started on the Baron, he took offence and said something.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		It was nothing...nonsense.

			KULYGIN
		There was a teacher who wrote `nonsense’ on a boy’s essay only his writing was - anyway the boy thought it was a Latin word meaning excellent. 

			KULYGIN (Cont’d)
		You know what they’re saying?  That Solyony’s in love with Irina, so he hates the Baron.  Understandable, she’s a terrific young woman, Irina, like Masha she has depth, but you’re more gentle, Irina.  Of course Masha can be - she’s extremely...I love her.

Calls of greeting from the garden.

			IRINA
		(Shivers) I don’t know why, I’m jumping at everything today.  (Pause.)  Everything’s packed, ready to be sent on after lunch.  The Baron and I will get married tomorrow and set off for the brick factory, the day after that I start a new life at the school.  God give me strength - when I took my exams for teaching I cried for joy...I felt blessed.  (Pause.)  The horse and cart will be here after lunch for my things.

			KULYGIN
		All very fine - all these ideas - no matter, I wish you well, from the bottom of my heart.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		My golden girl...I’m losing you...flying away from me, I’m left behind like a bird that’s too old to spread its wings any more.  Fly away, my darling...God be with you...(Pause.)  You shaved in vain, Fyodor Ilich, taking off that moustache.

			KULYGIN
		Oh, leave it.  (Sighs.) Off today, the soldiers, it’ll all quieten down now.  She’s a fine woman, Masha, I don’t care what they say - honest, a good woman.  I love her very much - I’m grateful for what I’ve got, each to his own destiny.  Hah - there’s a man at the excise office, Kozyrev - we were at school together...he got thrown out for not understanding the ut consecutivum ...

			KULYGIN (Cont’d)
		...whenever I see him I say “Hullo, ut consecutivum” and he says it back, with a cough - dreadfully poor and not well at all these days.  I’m fine.  

		I’ve been lucky all my life, even awarded the Order of St Stanislav...second class...now I’m teaching the ut consecutivum.  I’m an intelligent man of course, though that’s not the secret of happiness...

In the house, someone plays The Maiden’s Prayer on the piano.

			IRINA
		At least I shan’t have to put up with The Maiden’s Prayer any more...or Protopopov.  (Pause.)  He’s in there - in the drawing room - even today.

			KULYGIN
		Is the headmistress here?

MASHA walks apart.

			IRINA
		No.  They’ve sent for her.  I hate living here alone now she’s at the school.  I wish I was busy like Olya, there’s nothing to do.  I hate this house...my room - if I’m not destined for Moscow then I’m not, so be it.  What can I do?  It’s God’s will.  He’s proposed to me and I’ve made up my mind.  He’s a good man, Nikolai Lvovich... surprisingly good and kind, a good human being, so - and suddenly it’s as if I’ve grown wings, come alive.  I’m happy and everything’s become easy for me again, suddenly I want to work, work, work...only...

		Yesterday something happened...something mysterious...I felt...(she shudders.)

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Oh, “nonsense.”

			NATASHA
		(At the window) The headmistress!  (NATASHA goes.)

			KULYGIN
		Ah, the headmistress...(ushers IRINA inside.)

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Reading the paper.)  “Tarara boomdeay... I’m on the fence today -”

MASHA approaches.  Further off, ANDREI pushes the pram.

			MASHA
		There you are, sitting away.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		What if I am?

			MASHA
		Oh, nothing.  (Sits.  Pause.)  You loved my mother.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Very much.

			MASHA
		Did she love you?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Pause.)  I don’t remember now.

			MASHA
		Is my man here?  We had a cook who used to call her policeman friend that - my man.  Is mine here?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Not yet.

			MASHA
		When you lose the little bit of happiness you’ve ever had it starts to destroy you - you become bitter - it’s - I’m seething inside - (points at her breast.  As ANDREI wheels the pram past them) Look at him.  He’s finished.  Like the bell - so much money raised, so much effort, thousands of people’s efforts - up it went, the great bell, and was dropped - shattered.  Just like Andrei.  Why?

			ANDREI
		Oh for some peace and quiet.  This house is so noisy.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Not long now.  (Looks at his watch.)  This old watch has a bell - listen - (winds, the watch strikes.)  The first, second and fifth batteries will leave on the dot at one.  (Pause.)  And I’m off tomorrow.

			ANDREI
		For good?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		No idea.  May be back in a year, who knows?  What does it matter?

The sounds of a harp and a violin in the distance.

			ANDREI
		The town will be like a birdcage with a cloth over it.  (Pause.)  Something happened yesterday, I don’t know what, outside the theatre.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		It’s nothing, just some nonsense.  Solyony started on the Baron who lost his temper and humiliated him and Solyony felt obliged to challenge him to a duel - (looks at his watch) about now, I should think - in the woods over by the river - bang bang. 

			CHEBUTYKIN (Cont’d)
		(Laughs) Solyony thinks he’s Lermontov - even writes poetry...I mean, a joke’s a joke but this is his third duel.

			MASHA
		Whose?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Solyony.

			MASHA
		What about the Baron?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		What about the Baron?

Pause.

			MASHA
		I’m sorry, I don’t - no, it mustn’t be allowed ...he could wound the Baron, even kill him.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Oh he’s a good man but what’s one baron more or less - let them!

			VOICE
		(Beyond the garden) “Aie!  Hup-hup!”

			CHEBUTYKIN
		That was Skvortsov shouting - he’ll be waiting in the boat, he’s the second.

Pause.

			ANDREI
		I think that taking part in a duel, even as a doctor, is immoral.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Moral, immoral, what’s the difference?  We’re here, are we here, we exist, do we exist - anyway, does it matter?

			MASHA
		Talk, talk, talk...(moves to go)...it’ll be snow soon - having to listen to - (stops) no, I can’t go inside - let me know when Vershinin comes (goes away from the avenue, looks up)...the birds are already going...swans...geese...off you go, my loves - (Exits.)

			ANDREI
		There’ll be nobody here.  The officers are leaving, you’re going, my sister’s getting married.  I’ll be the only one left.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		What about your wife?

FERAPONT enters with papers.

			ANDREI
		A wife is a wife.  This one’s a respectable, honest woman, kind - at the same time there’s something that - that reduces her to a petty, blind animal, certainly not a human being.  I can say this to you, you’re my friend, the only one I can tell.  I love Natasha, but sometimes she seems so surprisingly vulgar, such a squalid human being that I can’t remember why I love her - or at least loved her once.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Stands) My friend, I’m leaving tomorrow and we may never see each other again.  Take my advice.  Put on a hat, take a stick in your hand and leave.  Leave and go without a backward look.  The further the better.

SOLYONY crossing with TWO OFFICERS, sees CHEBUTYKIN, breaks off and joins him.

			SOLYONY
		Doctor it’s time - half-twelve already.  (Greets ANDREI.)

			CHEBUTYKIN
		I’m coming, damn you.  (To ANDREI) If anyone wants me, say I’ll be back directly... (Sighs) Ohhh!

			SOLYONY
		(As ANDREI goes.)  “He didn’t have time to say hullo, before the bear had laid him low.”  What are you groaning for, grandpa?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Oh shut up.

			SOLYONY
		Fighting fit, eh?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Like a dead dog.

			SOLYONY
		Don’t get worked up, old man.  I’ll just wing him (sprinkles his hands with cologne.)   I’ve poured a whole flask on today (sniffs his hands) they still smell like a corpse.

		(Pause.)

		Remember Lermontov’s poem?  “And he, rebellious, seeks the storm, As if in storms relaxes peace.”

			CHEBUTYKIN
		He didn’t have the time to care, Before it squashed him, Grizzly Bear.”  (Leaves with SOLYONY.)

Shouts are heard - “Huy Ai!”.  ANDREI and FERAPONT enter.

			FERAPONT
		You must sign these papers.

			ANDREI
		Leave me alone - please...(Goes with pram.)

			FERAPONT
		But they’re for signing, that’s what they’re for.  (He goes upstage.)

Enter IRINA and TUZENBAKH in a straw hat.

			KULYGIN
		(Crossing) Hey Masha - hey!

			TUZENBAKH
		The only man in town glad to see the back of the soldiers.

			IRINA
		That’s understandable.  (Pause.)  The town will be deserted.

			TUZENBAKH
		I’ll be back in a moment.

			IRINA
		Where are you going?

			TUZENBAKH
		Just into town to...ah...see my friends off.

			IRINA
		Tell me the truth - Nikolai, what’s the matter?  (Pause.)  What happened yesterday outside the theatre?

			TUZENBAKH
		(Moves, impatient.)  I’ll be with you again, in an hour.  (Kisses her hands.)  Oh my beloved ...(Looks into her face)...I’ve been in love with you for five years and I still can’t get used to it, you’re more wonderful to me every day.  Your hair...those amazing eyes...tomorrow I’m going to take you away with me...we’ll work, we’ll be rich, all our dreams will come true - well, except for the one thing.  That you don’t love me.

			IRINA
		I can’t help that.  I’ll be your faithful and obedient wife but love - what can I do?  (Cries) I’ve never been in love, not once in my life.  I dream of it day and night but my soul is like our beloved grand piano - all locked up and no key.  (Pause.)  What’s the matter?

			TUZENBAKH
		I didn’t sleep last night.  No key.  That’s what tears me to pieces.  (Pause.)  Say something.

			IRINA
		What is there to say?  It’s all a mystery.  Look at these trees, standing there, silent, still -

			TUZENBAKH
		Tell me something.

			IRINA
		What?  Tell you what?

			TUZENBAKH
		Anything.

			IRINA
		Oh stop, stop.  (Pause.)

			TUZENBAKH
		Funny how stupid things can suddenly seem important.  You think no, this is absurd but you can’t - oh never mind.  Today I’m happy.  These firs, maples, birch trees - it’s as though I’ve never been aware of them before - looking at me - all alive and waiting to see what’s going to happen - such beautiful trees, life around them should be beautiful.  Just as beautiful!

			VOICES
		(Off) Hullo!  Hup, hup!

			TUZENBAKH
		I must go, I’m late - look at that tree, it’s dead but it’s still swaying with the others in the wind.  It’ll be the same with me if I die, I’ll still be part of life somehow.  Goodbye, my dear...(kisses her hands) the papers you gave me are on my table, under the calendar.

			IRINA
		I’ll come with you.

			TUZENBAKH
		(Alarmed) No, no!  (Goes quickly, stops in the avenue.) Irina!

			IRINA
		What?

			TUZENBAKH
		(Not knowing what to say) I haven’t had my coffee.  Get them to make me some...(Goes quickly.)

IRINA pauses, thoughtful, then goes up stage, sits on the swing.  ANDREI enters with pram.  FERAPONT appears.

			FERAPONT
		Look, these aren’t my papers, I didn’t make them up.  They’re official.

			ANDREI
		What’s happened, where did it all go?...when I was young and clever and happy, full of ideas and hope - why, when we hardly started, does it all go grey and dull, mindless, useless, unhappy...  This town’s been here for 200 years - a 100,000 inhabitants and not one - not one who hasn’t been the same as all the others, not one hero, past or present, not a scholar, not an artist, no-one to arouse even one stab of envy or the desire to emulate.  Eat, drink, sleep, die - next lot the same, same after that - vodka, cards, petty lawsuits, love-affairs and  lies to stifle the boredom so that the children -

			ANDREI (Cont’d)
		- how else - end up the same, pathetic corpses like their mothers and fathers.  (To FERAPONT) What do you want?

			FERAPONT
		The papers.

			ANDREI
		Go away.

			FERAPONT
		(Hands him the papers.)  The doorman at the revenue office was telling me they had 200 degrees of frost in Petersburg last winter.

			ANDREI
		However disgusting it all is - somehow, when I think of the future I feel light...there’s a feeling of space, freedom, I can see myself - and my children - freed from a life of doing nothing, drinking, eating goose with cabbage, from falling asleep after lunch, from vile sponging off other people.

			FERAPONT
		He said 2,000 people froze.  People were horrified, he said - it was either Petersburg or Moscow...

			ANDREI
		(With emotion) Oh my dear sisters, my wonderful sisters.  (Through tears) Masha, my sister...

			NATASHA
		(At the window) Who’s making all that noise, is it you, Andrusha?  You’ll wake Sofochka.  Il ne faut pas faire du bruit, la Sophie est dormée déjà.  Vous êtes un ours.  (Angry) If you want to talk give the pram to someone else - Ferapont take the pram from his Honour!

			FERAPONT
		Eh?  Yes ma’am.  (Takes the pram.)

			ANDREI
		(Embarrassed) I was talking quietly.

			NATASHA
		(Outside, talking to Bobik) Bobik...naughty Bobik...wicked boy!

			ANDREI
		(Glancing at papers) All right, I’ll have a look and sign what’s necessary and you can take them back to the Council...(Goes inside, reading the papers.  FERAPONT pushes the pram off.)

			NATASHA
		(Beyond the window.)  What’s Mama called, Bobik?  Who’s this?  This is Auntie Olya...say hello, Olya...Auntie Olya!

Two wandering MUSICIANS, a man and a woman, enter playing violin and harp.  VERSHININ, OLGA and ANFISA come out and listen quietly for a moment.  IRINA approaches.

			OLGA
		Our garden is like a public courtyard, people walk through it, drive through it - Nanny give the musicians something.

			ANFISA
		(Goes off) Off you go, with God’s blessing good people.  (They bow and leave.)  Poor things, they must be in a bad way to be doing that.  (To IRINA) Irisha!  (Kisses her.)  Oh child, look at me alive and well in an official flat along with Olushka - a room and a bed all to myself, everything official from the Government, never in my life have I lived like this, old sinner that I am, I sleep through the night...dear Lord, Mother of God, there’s not a happier soul in the whole world!

			VERSHININ
		(Looks at his watch.  To OLGA) Time for me to go.  (Pause.)  May I?...all the best...Where is Maria Sergeyevna?

			IRINA
		She’s in the garden somewhere, I’ll go and find her.

			VERSHININ
		If you would.  I’m pressed for time.

			ANFISA
		I’ll go.  (Shouts) Mashenka, hey!

		(She and IRINA go into the garden.)

		He-ey, he-ey!

			VERSHININ
		Everything comes to an end.  Time to go.  (Looks at his watch.)  The town laid on food for us, champagne - a speech - I sat there and ate and drank and listened - my heart was here, with you...(Looks round at the garden.)  I’ve grown so used to you all.

			OLGA
		Will we see each other again sometime?

			VERSHININ
		Probably not.

Pause.

			VERSHININ (Cont’d)
		My wife and daughters will stay on for another two months.  If anything should happen or be needed -

			OLGA
		Yes, yes of course.  Rest assured.

		(Pause.)

			OLGA (Cont’d)
		By tomorrow there won’t be a soldier left in town.  Just a memory.  For us, obviously the beginning of a new life...(Pause.)  Nothing happens as you think it will.  I didn’t want to be a headmistress, yet here I am.  No question now of going to Moscow.

			VERSHININ
		Well...thank you for everything.  Forgive me for - if I was ever - I’ve talked a good deal - forgive me for that, don’t remember me badly.
	
			OLGA
		(Wiping her eyes.)  Where is Masha...why  isn’t she...?

			VERSHININ
		What else can I say in farewell...what precious piece of information?  (Laughs.) Life’s hard - hopeless sometimes and yet we have to agree, things are improving, getting better - things will become clearer before too long.  (Looks at his watch.)  Time to go.  In the past life was filled with war, campaigns, raids, conquests.  All over, that, leaving a big empty space needing to be filled we’re searching, searching passionately.  It will come, it’ll happen - if only it could be soon!

		(Pause.)

		You know, if we could just add education to the love of work, and work to the love of education.  (Looks at his watch again.)  However, time to go.

			OLGA
		Here she is.

MASHA enters.

			VERSHININ
		I came to say goodbye.

OLGA moves apart discreetly.

			MASHA
		(Looks into his face.)  Goodbye......

A long kiss.

			OLGA
		Come on, come on...

MASHA weeps bitterly.

			VERSHININ
		Write to me - don’t forget!  Let me go...it’s time now...(To OLGA) Olga Sergeyevna, take her...it’s already time for...I’m late.  (Moved, he kisses OLGA’S hands, then embraces MASHA again and leaves quickly.)

			OLGA
		Stop it, darling...Masha, come on......

			KULYGIN
		(Enters.  Embarrassed.)  That’s all right, let her cry.  My dear, good kind Masha, I’m happy, no matter what’s gone on - I’ve no complaints, let Olga be my witness - no reproaches.  We’ll go back to where we were - nothing to be said - all over -

			MASHA
		(Restraining her sobs.)  In the creek there’s a green oak, a golden chair on a green oak...a golden cat...a golden oak...I’m getting confused.  (Drinks water.)

		An unfortunate life...I don’t need anything - I’ll be all right soon, it’s all the same to me...What does it mean...”the  creek”?  Why do I have that word in my head - my thoughts are all mixed up.

IRINA enters.         

			OLGA
		Sssh, Masha, that’s enough...let’s go in.

			MASHA
		(Angry) I’m not going in there.  (Cries, but stops suddenly.)  Not in that house, not any more.

			IRINA
		Let’s sit together, even if we don’t say anything.  I’m going tomorrow, remember?

Pause.

			KULYGIN
		Look.  (Puts on a false beard and moustache.)  I took it away from a boy yesterday - I look like the teacher in the German class.  They are funny, those boys.

			MASHA
		Yes you do look like the German.

			OLGA
		(Laughs) Yes.

MASHA cries.

			IRINA
		Come on, Masha...

			KULYGIN
		Very much like him.

			NATASHA
		(Enters.  To the MAID) Look, Protopopov is upstairs with Sofochka, and Andrei Sergeyevich here with Bobik!  Honestly, children - they’re such a nuisance.  (To IRINA) Such a shame you’re leaving tomorrow, Irina, stay another week at least.  (Shrieks at the sight of KULYGIN.  He laughs and takes off the beard.)  Honestly, you gave me such a fright!  

			NATASHA (Cont’d)
		(To IRINA) I’ve got so used to you, it’s not going to be easy not having you here.  I’ll get them to put Andrei into your room with his violin, he can scrape away in there and we’ll put Sofochka in his room - gorgeous, little girl, she’s really incredible - today she looked at me, eyes like this and said “Mamma”!”

			KULYGIN
		True, she’s a beautiful child.

			NATASHA
		So I’ll be all on my own here tomorrow.  (Sighs.)  The first thing I’m going to do is have that avenue of fir-trees chopped down, then the maple, it’s so ugly.  (To IRINA) My dear, that belt doesn’t suit your face at all, you need something lighter, more tasteful.  And I’m going to have flowers here...there...and there...lots of flowers for their smell.  (Stern)  Why is there a fork on the bench here?  (To the MAID) What is a fork doing out here on the bench?  I’m asking you a question - (Shouts)  be quiet, who asked you to speak?

			KULYGIN
		She’s off!

Offstage, a band plays a march.  They all listen.
	
			OLGA
		They’re leaving.

CHEBUTYKIN enters.

			MASHA
		Our boys are off.  Well, there we are...bon voyage.  (To KULYGIN) We must go home - where are my hat and cape?

			KULYGIN
		I took them in, I’ll go and fetch them.  (Goes in.)

			OLGA
		Yes, we can all go home now.  Time to go.

			CHEBUTYKIN
		Olga Sergeyevna!

			OLGA
		What?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		It’s all right.  I don’t know how to say it to you.  (He whispers in her ear.)

			OLGA
		(Frightened) No - it can’t be...it’s not true!

			CHEBUTYKIN
		I know.  (Sits upstage.)  I’m exhausted...I can’t talk any more - anyway, what difference does it make?

			MASHA
		What’s happened?

			OLGA
		(Hugs IRINA) Today is a terrible day.  I don’t know how to tell you, my dear...

			IRINA
		(Crying) What is it - quick, for God’s sake what is it?

			CHEBUTYKIN
		The Baron has been killed in a duel.

			IRINA
		I knew it...I knew it......

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(On a bench in the background.)  I’m worn out...(takes out his paper) let them cry...(Sings quietly) Tarara boombiya...I’m on the fence today - (opens his paper) - oh - what difference does it make?

The THREE SISTERS stand, clinging to one another.

			MASHA
		Listen to the music!  They’re going - leaving us.  Here we are, left behind to start a new life.  We have to live - what else?  We have to live.

IRINA puts her head on OLGA’S chest.

			IRINA
		There will come a time when we understand, when everyone knows what it’s all for, all this suffering and deprivation - no more mysteries, no more things unexplained.  Until then we have to live - work - we have to work.  That’s all there is - work!

		I’ll go off tomorrow, I’ll teach - teach children in the school, I’ll dedicate my whole life to whatever’s needed.  It’s autumn already, winter will be here soon and we shall be smothered in snow but I shall be working.  I’ll be working.

OLGA hugs both her SISTERS.

			OLGA
		Listen to the music - so bright - alive - it makes you want to live!  Dear God - life will go on, time will pass and we’ll leave it and be forgotten.  Our faces - our voices - how many of us there were.  But our sufferings will turn to joy for those who come after us.  

		We will be remembered with a kind word, there will be peace and happiness and those of us now alive will be blessed.  Dear sisters, our life isn’t over.  We’ll live.  And the band playing so joyfully....I feel soon...so soon we shall begin to understand why we live, why we suffer...  If only we only knew, if we only knew!

The music plays more and more quietly.  KULYGIN, smiling happily, carries on Masha’s hat and cape.  ANDREI pushes the pram, in which Bobik is sitting up.		

			CHEBUTYKIN
		(Sings quietly) Tarara boomdeay...  (He whistles the tune then reads his paper.)  What difference does it make, eh?  What difference?

			OLGA
		If we only knew, if we only knew!

CURTAIN