Article: Chekhov: The Hidden Ground.

Philip Callow. Constable. [pounds]18.99. 272 pages. ISBN 009-476740-8.

On the evening of 17 October 1896 the Alexandrinsky Theatre in St Petersburg presented a new play - The Seagull - as the first half of a gala benefit for Elizaveta Leveeka who was celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of her stage debut. But 'the first comedy to take death in its stride' was not to the taste of the fans who had come to see their jolly, buxom favourite in uproarious farce. For the thirty-six year old consumptive author it was an horrendous night to remember. The actors were soon inaudible as the bored audience chattered, stamped their feet and shrieked with laughter at the ...

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