Donka, A Letter to Chekhov

With the Box Office just open, excitement is building for our 2011 opening show in the Gaiety Theatre, non-other than the breathtaking Donka, A letter to Chekhov. Directed by the world renowned director, author, choreographer and clown, Daniele Finzi Pasca, who also directed highly acclaimed productions such as Rain, created for Cirque Eloize, Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo, which opened in April 2005 and is still touring the world and he was also responsible for creating and directing the Closing Ceremony of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Let’s be honest, it’s a pretty impressive CV! 

Promising to be a truly spellbinding production full of dazzling aerial acrobatics, multi-media illusion and circus magic, the show will draw on the plots of Chekhov’s plays as well as his short stories and personal diaries. Donka, A Letter to Chekhov was originally commissioned to open the prestigious Chekhov International Theatre Festival in 2010 celebrating Chekhov’s 150th birthday and received a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation from European theatregoers.

Another fascinating fact about this production is that “Donka” translated in Russian is the little bell that would be fixed on to a fishing rod, which rings whenever a fish bites. Chekhov adored fishing, and for him it was a way of abandoning himself to meditation and Finzi Pasca was fascinated by this image. 

Think aerial acrobatics, melting ice, breathtaking illusion and pure escapsim... this will be a night of sumptuous entertainment unlike any other. Its plays for 5 performances only, don’t miss it! Donka, A Letter to Chekhov will run in the Gaiety Theatre from Sept 29-Oct 2. Check out www.dublintheatrefestival.com or call 01 677 8899 for more details.

Take a look at the trailer