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Which Anton Chekhov plays became major works of world theatre?
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Russian literature
Aleksandr Pushkin, oil on canvas by Vasily Tropinin, 1827; in the National Pushkin Museum, St. Petersburg
Anton Chekhovâs four major plays are widely considered the high point of Russian drama and have become essential works of world theatre. These plays are celebrated for their innovation of "undramatic drama," or the "theatre of inaction," which emphasizes ordinary moments over complex plots.12
The four plays are:
- The Seagull (1896)1
- Uncle Vanya (1897), which Chekhov adapted from his earlier work, The Wood Demon31
- Three Sisters (1901)1
- The Cherry Orchard (1904), a poignant depiction of the decline of Russian landowners31
Through these works, Chekhov challenged the theatrical conventions of his time, asserting that histrionics were a "dangerous lie" and focusing instead on the subtle, often unspoken, realities of human life.12