How would you perform the role of Chebutykin in Act I and Act III of Three Sisters?
How would you perform the role of Chebutykin in Act I and Act III of Three Sisters?
I would play Chebutykin as an old, wise, father like figure who loves the sisters, especially Irina as if they were his own children. Also, I would want to create comedy and pathos for my audience and would do this in the following way.
In Act I, I would like to especially bring out the comic and caring values of the character. Chebutykin’s witty, blunt comments, and his nonsensical philosophising creates a friendly, humorous character, which the audience warms to immediately.
Chebutykin is old, as in Act I, Chebutykin says, “I am nearly sixty – a lonely, useless old man.” When entering for the first time in Act I, Chebutykin reads a newspaper. While doing this, I would squint my eyes and hold the newspaper a distance away from me as if trying to focus. This would show deterioration in his eyesight. I would also walk slowly and slightly hunched. When he fetches the Samovar, I would walk extremely slowly, and have difficulty carrying the present. When speaking, I would stutter slightly, and sometimes slow down as if to remember what I was saying. Another habit of Chebutykin is combing his beard. (Page six stage directions). This would become a common habit, demonstrating his wise, knowledgeable nature.