Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

PLATONOV

FATHERLESSNESS OR A PLAY WITHOUT A TITLE

Translated by John Cournos

This is Chehov’s first play, which was written in 1878 specifically for Maria Yermolova, a rising star of Maly Theatre. Yermolova rejected the play and it was not published until 1923. The lead character is “Mikhail Platonov”, a disillusioned provincial schoolmaster, and his name is used for the title in English translations. The work has been adapted and produced at the Almeida Theatre in London, the Bristol Old Vic, and by the Soulpepper Theatre Company in Toronto.