Staging Chekhov’s Three Sisters in 2026 : political questions and artistic strategies

Abstract

This work follows the artistic process and theoretical reflections surrounding a production of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters which premiered in February 2026 at the Puoli-Q stage in Helsinki. The core of the material explores the complexities of staging a Russian classical play in a contemporary European context characterized by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

The text details how the director navigated the "political magnifying glass" applied to Russian works, balancing a deep personal appreciation for Russian cultural heritage with the ethical demands of a world where such culture can be seen as state propaganda. It covers various facets of the production, including collaborative text translation into Finnish, the director’s decision to design the scenography herself to achieve "total responsibility" for the stage, and the psychological and physical work with actors to address themes of violence, alcohol consumption, and the realities of war.

In the final part, the work explores insights gained from two very different theatre directors who have recently staged Chekhov play during the years of war. One of them is Russian-born Dmitry Krymov, who fled Russia, now lives in New York, and premiered his interpretation of Uncle Vanya there. The other is Finnish director Esa-Matti Smolander, who has a particular affinity for staging works by Russian authors in Finland.