Plays

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The Bear

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Brian Friel 

  • Adapted / Translated From

    Anton Chekhov

  • Author Notes

    A version of the original play by Anton Chekhov after a literal translation by Úna Ní Dhubhghaill.

  • Setting

    The drawing-room of Popova's very comfortable country house, on a very hot afternoon in the summer of 1890.

  • Notes

    The Bear was originally produced alongside 'Afterplay' (listed separately) under the general title 'Two Plays After'.

  • Synopsis

    The young widow, Elena, in mourning for a year, declares herself effectively dead, only to be stirred back into life by the blustering, salty-tongued Gregory, who she cannot resist despite her best efforts.

  • Play Type

    Adaptation/Translation

    Number Of Acts

    One Act

    • Cast size

  • Male

    2

  • Female

    1

  • Total

    3

Original Production

Original Cast  
Gregory Stepanovitch Smirnov Stephen Brennan (1)
Luka Eamon Morrissey
Elena Ivanova Popova Flora Montgomery
Production Team  
Director Robin Lefevre
Designer Liz Ascroft
Lighting Designer Mick Hughes
Production Manager James McConnell
Production Co-ordinator Val Keogh
Stage Director Leo McKenna
Assistant Stage Manager Kenneth Kelly (1)
Assistant Stage Manager Nicola Hughes
Technician Brian Rudden
Technician David Carpenter
Set Construction Theatre Production Services
Scenic Artist Liz Barker
Wardrobe Supervisor Joy Gleeson
Costume Construction Annie Cartwright
Wardrobe Assistant Valerie Dempsey
Costume Construction Janet O'Leary
Tailor Des Leech
Photography Tom Lawlor (1)
Hair and Wigs Anne Dunne
Company Director Michael Colgan (1)
Company Deputy Director Marie Rooney
Company Deputy Director Anne Clarke

Published Scripts

Rights Information

  • Territory

    All Territories

  • Rights Type

    All Rights

  • Contact

    The Agency

  • Address

    24 Pottery Lane, Holland Park
    London W11 4LZ
    England

  • Phone

    + 44 (0)20 7727 1346

  • Email

    info@theagency.co.uk

  • Website

    www.theagency.co.uk

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme and promotional flyer. Additional information was taken from contemporary press cuttings.