Theatre Review: Three Sisters - Now Showing at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe

This week, London Living had the pleasure of attending the press night for Three Sister at the incredible Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe

Ruby Thompson as Irina, Michelle Terry as Olga, and Shannon Tarbet as Masha in Three Sisters (c. Johan Persson)

Under the expert direction of Caroline Steinbeis, in the magic of the Sam Wanamaker Globe Theatre, we are welcomed into a small town, in the middle of nowhere, where the lives of three sisters, their brother, his fiancé, and a host of other characters intertwine.

The Three Sisters themselves- Olga (Michelle Terry), Masha (Shannon Tarbet), and Irina (Ruby Thompson) navigate their lives in rural isolation, seamlessly supporting and aggravating each other as their clueless brother Andrei (Stuart Thompson) squanders the family's riches with his wonderfully horrid wife Natalya (Natalie Klamar). 

Michelle Terry's Olga is heart-achingly withdrawn, desperately clinging on to the dream of moving back to Moscow, contrasting with Shannon Tarbet's wild, gesticulating Masha, who copes with her own misery with extra-marital affairs. Ruby Thompson's Irina, the youngest of the sisters, starts out bright and optimistic, celebrating her Name Day, but reality soon comes crashing in as you watch the three sisters move through life together.

Ruby Thompson as Irina and Michelle Terry as Olga in Three Sisters (c. Johan Persson)

The production is a poignant exploration of the characters' longing for change as their world goes up in flames, one minute at a time.  The performances are compelling, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their roles. 

The chemistry between the cast members is palpable, making the audience feel the weight of their struggles and dreams.

Ruby Thompson as Irina and Michael Abubakar as Tuzenbach in Three Sisters (c. Johan Persson)

The play's themes of hope and despair are beautifully captured in Mullarkey's translation, which breathes new life into Chekhov's classic text. With dialogue sharp and evocative, we the audience are drawn into the emotional turmoil of the characters.

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, with its intimate setting and atmospheric lighting, provides the perfect backdrop for this production. 

Stuart Thompson as Andrei in Three Sisters (c. Johan Persson) (2)

This production of Three Sisters is a must-see for theatre lovers. It is a powerful reminder of Chekhov's enduring relevance and the transformative impact of his work. 

Keir Charles as Fyodor Kulygin and Michelle Terry as Olga in Three Sisters (c. Johan Persson)

Three Sisters will run until April 19th at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe you can book your tickets here.