25 Jul 2025
PlayinthePark’s production of the Chekov classic is a short but sweet success for Deborah Heath.
I was thrilled to see my favourite Chekhov short play ‘The Bear’ (or sometimes ‘The Boar’), in the Roman Festival Theatre line-up this year.
This witty piece comes in at under an hour and goes to show that small things are perfectly formed, a point I hope to prove with this review too!
It tells the story of widow Elena Popover who has housebound herself mourning for an undeserving husband. One day her solitude is disrupted by the arrival of Gregory Smirnov, a forthright landowner who has come to retrieve a debt from her deceased husband. What ensues is a marvellously witty and energetic battle of wills and the sexes that will get you thinking!
Directed by Scott Le Crass, no stranger to the Roman Theatre Festival, PlayinthePark presented a marvellous, energetic production of this vignette.
Staging was simple but stylish with flashes of yellow. Elena was played beautifully with poise and humour by Josephine Rattigan and Smirnov by Gareth Kennerley. Smirnov is not the easiest role to play because he initially comes across as a bear with no manners.
What Kennerley mastered was showing his weaknesses, desperation and motivation. Flitting between them and acting as compere was the super Alan Booty as Luka, the butler.
This threesome were a great team and delivered Chekhov’s humorous, at times farcical yet well observed script with aplomb. The audience were all delighted as I am sure you will be if you like short plays that pack a punch. I urge you to quickly get a ticket for the last two nights of this run!
