Chekhov is still one of the most popular playwrights in the world, and the Japanese theater has not ignored the plays of Anton Pavlovich.
Motoi Miura, the director of his recent Melikhovo production of "The Cherry Orchard", has staged almost all of plays by Chekhov in Japan. He won not only the recognition of the theatrical community, but also, more important, a genuine affection from the audience. Specific interpretation of the text, an unexpected perspective on the characters and their relationships, gives Miura's performance a unique flavor, a distinct, uncommon sounding.
The director seems to be writing his text on Chekhov's drafts, as if deciphering slightly rubbed out phrases. Although he has absolute respect for the great author, he feels free from the typical theatrical interpretations that often appear on our present stages. For Motoi Miura, form is very important. He perfects every movement of the actor and creates the intonational musical score for the entire performance. Speech is intertwined with every sound, including music, footsteps, and clapping, thus creating a unique polyphony in the stage space.
Motoi Miura graduated from Tokyo Toho Gakuen Drama School. As a student, he traveled to Moscow, where he had his first experience with Russian theater and drama. After graduation, he founded his own theater in Kyoto with a small group of actors. His productions received numerous awards and were highly appreciated by theatre critics. The Russian first performance of Motoi Miura as a stage director took place at the Bolshoi Drama Theater (BDT) in St. Petersburg. The premiere of his production of the play took place in February 2024 at the Theater of Nations.
