Ivanov

a version by Ronald Harwood

Ivanov was Chekhov’s first full-length play. When it was premiered in Moscow in 1887 it was given a mixed reception but a revised version presented in St. Petersburg in 1889, was triumphantly received. Ronald Harwood offers a modern version which strikes a chord with audiences today, with many familiar Chekhovian characters and themes: a hero in need of salvation, an honest but self-righteous doctor, a heroine in a stale marriage, and a young woman offering love that is rejected – all against a background of obsession with money, property and family obligations. It is, perhaps, Chekhov’s most underrated work.

Ronald Harwood’s adaptation was first presented at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, and subsequently at the Strand Theatre, London, directed by Elijah Moshinsky and starring Alan Bates, Nicky Henson and Felicity Kendall. “Ivanov, Chekhov’s fi rst successful play, given a rare and welcome outing [in] Ronald Harwood’s vigorous translation...” ~ David Nathan, Jewish Chronicle

“...a reclamation of a diffi cult and neglected work.” ~ Ian Herbert, London Theatre Record

“Here is Chekhov in a new guise ... This nipped and tucked version by Ronald Harwood is more theatrical and about twice as dynamic as the original.” ~ Christopher Edwards, The Spectator

© 2026 Amber Lane Press (Ebook): 9781738476978

Release date

Ebook: 2 March 2026