Pony Cam charge into Malthouse Theatre with Chekhov classic The Orchard

The boundary-pushing cult theatre collective will be taking on one of Anton Chekhov’s most revered comedies.

Going to see plays isn’t what you people should do. Try looking at yourselves a little more often and see what gray lives you all lead. How much of what you say is unnecessary – The Cherry Orchard.

In this instance it’s hard to agree with the revered Russian playwright and short story writer, Anton Chekhov, who penned The Cherry Orchard. Particularly not when it comes to adaptations of his own work becoming centre-stage.

In fact, encouragement is necessary when it comes to seeing Malthouse Theatre’s latest presentation of the 1904 classic. Award-winning, genre-busting experimental theatre collective, Pony Cam, reimagine the last, but most prominent play of Chekhov, in a performance titled The Orchard across August.

PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES

Previews: 7.30pm, Tuesday 5 August, Wednesday 6 August
In Season: 6.30pm, Monday; 7.30pm, Tuesday-Saturday; 2.00pm, Saturday
Time to Talk: 7.30pm, Tuesday 12 August

THE ORCHARD CREDITS

Co-creators and performers:
Claire Bird, Ava Campbell, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub, Hugo Williams
Set & Costume Designer: Sophie Woodward
Lighting Designer: Harrie Hogan

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The season will be shown in Malthouse Theatre’s, Beckett Theatre from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 16 August. The refreshing retelling will see Pony Cam tap into their signature irreverent social commentary to offer a playful, post-modern interpretation of Chekhov’s swansong. 

A tale of economic pressures and climate conditions surrounding the acquisition of a redundant cherry orchard, Pony Cam add their chaotic charm to the narrative for a dynamic, high-energy and highly entertaining show. Navigating thematics of social change, loss, and the friction of old meets new, Pony Cam co-creators and performers Claire Bird, Ava Campbell, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub and Hugo Williams, push the timeless tale into new territory.

Malthouse Executive Producer & CEO Vivia Hickman says, “Pony Cam is hot property in theatre right now, for good reason. They have an almost uncanny ability to tackle the important issues in our zeitgeist with equal parts sincerity and whimsy. We are delighted to have the company back in the building, this time as part of our 2025 season, and can’t wait to see what poignant splendour they transpose into the world of Russia’s most famed playwright.”

Pony Cam Collective share, “We can’t wait to invite audiences into The Orchard. While we will be visiting a distant estate in Russia, our Orchard will be much closer to home. One that is torn between doomed inheritances and impossible expectations. There will be real indecision, real failure, real gambling, cheap champagne, and a dangerous proposition.”

 

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This season follows on from a stacked calendar of performances. 2024 saw Pony Cam deliver original works of Paradise Lots at contemporary and experimental arts organisation Platform Arts, Feast as part of Melbourne Fringe, Grand Theft Theatre at Adelaide Festival and started a run of Burnt Paradise shows kicking off with RISING. The performance wrapped at Geelong Arts Centre this June.

The Orchard is set to continue their unwavering determination to deliver new and exciting works to audiences in Australia, building on their unique style of theatre-making that is as thought-provoking as it is hilarious. Their practice is instinctive, physical, and highly spirited.

Get a taste of their theatre-making approach through seeing The Orchard at Malthouse Theatre this August. 

All ticketing and information is available here