RSL Events
Chekhov in Siberia
Michael Pennington
Timberlake Wertenbaker
The 20th Century Theatre, 7pm
Information
THE SKIDELSKY RUSSIAN MEETING
In 1890, to the amazement of his friends and colleagues, Anton Chekhov made an extraordinary three-month journey across Siberia to the island of Sakhalin off the Pacific coast to undertake a survey of 10,000 prisoners on the penal colony there. It was unlike anything he had done before, and called for a physical stamina which, as a sufferer from TB, he barely had. His report on prison conditions on Sakhalin, though largely ignored by the Russian government, is a classic of its kind, and he also wrote with typical eloquence about the many people he encountered on his gruelling journey. Michael Pennington's performance originated as part of his celebrated one-man show Anton Chekhov, of which The Sunday Telegraph wrote, 'It is fortunate that so remarkable a man and writer has attracted so remarkable an actor'. It takes the form of an imagined lecture given by Chekhov to a Moscow audience on his return and, though performed without costume or stage setting, it takes you to the heart of Chekhov's sensibility.
We are grateful to Robert Skidelsky for sponsoring this event.
Photograph of Michael Pennington
Booking Information
RSL Members and Fellows may book one seat for this event for free.
Seats for guests (one per meeting, £5) must be booked and paid for in advance. This can be done through the RSL website as part of the usual booking process.
The RSL takes bookings from the public in advance of each event. We are able to take payment for bookings over the phone, but, as we do not have a box office, we ask that the public book online.
Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis, for £8 (£5 for students). Students will be asked to present a valid student identification card on the night of the event.
Read our Terms and Conditions for ticket purchases here.
Venue
The 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2QA
