It was such an appetising prospect. For the second offering in its whistle-stop three-play week in London, redoubtable Russian company Sovremennik was going to show us Brits how Chekhov should be done. On the evidence of Galina Volchek's passable but far from scintillating production, we can carry on as we were before.
The most peculiar aspect of this version of world drama's most magisterial study of thwarted ambition is the design. The revolve in the stage is, apparently, a signifier of emotional confusion but what about the huge arched bridge that dominates the action and dwarfs the actors? On this visual evidence, it's hard to ascertain whether the sisters are dreaming of Moscow or Venice.
Nonetheless, there's steely work from Olga Drozdova, Chulpan Khamatova and Viktoria Romanenko as the trio who long to leave their "boring and backward" town with its regiment of equally disaffected soldiers. The (relative) positivity of youngest sister Irina's Act One name-day celebrations soon evaporates, as work and love turn out not to be the promised lands of everyone's initial predictions.
With no marked variations in pace or tone, the lengthy passages of "philosophising" - always easier than action in Russian plays - hang heavy. There's no overarching sense of greatness here; in fact, the only overarching thing is that bridge.
Until Tuesday, January 25. The Sovremennik season continues with The Cherry Orchard, Jan 28-29. Information: 0844 482 5140. delfontmackintosh.co.uk
Three Sisters
Noel Coward Theatre
St Martin's Lane, WC2N 4AU
