UNDERSTANDING PLAYS BY CHEKHOV (Acting coaches nyc)

Another free video from New York acting-coach John Windsor-Cunningham,
this one only for actors interested in the plays of Chekhov. One of
dozens of free videos - with no advertizing attached to them, or charge
for watching them - on his website www.Windsor-Cunningham.com

[@SergeM123]

The most extraordinary talk about Chekhov and acting in general I have ever heard. Thank you.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Very kind of you! I feared my remarks about Chekhov were rather trivial, but am relieved they're of interest. If you ever need specific help I do private coaching, not that I'm pushing it as there are a million people asking for drama-school-audition help this week ( ! ) . . . anyway all good wishes, (and it might amuse you to see another side of me at MadEnglishman.com, look at Video number "7". Best again, JOhn - oh, and I rarely see messages here, so use the 'contact page on the website if you need, or [e-mail]).

[@robertgallagher5285]

I'm the perfect Play audience because I look at almost ANY Play as a choice between sitting in your room alone and just thinking or watching a play on you tube and this makes almost any play enjoyable I've enjoyed every Checkhov play I've seen especially the High School The Cherry Orchard from Texas (playing guitar all the time gets boring) and appreciate and respect those responsible for its creation also George Cloony started out nice but he bought a James Ellroy Novel White Jazz and won't film it now because he feels the main character too evil think George Cloony flaking out on this especially to James Ellroy fans why buy it in the first place was he expecting James Ellroy to be pure and wholesome now he thinks it may hurt his image great channel glad I discovered it!!!!!

[@franzliszt3195]

I've always liked Chekhov, but never knew any of this. I look forward to watching all his plays again with a 'first time' freshness.

[@ALBIBISBIS]

Incredible, Mr Windsor-Cunningham!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thank you. Better videos to come soon I hope. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@vincezaaa]

I wish I have you as my drama teacher right now in sixth form. You have so much more technicality, depth, well rounded understanding, life experience and perspective. Thank you for this video. I just purchased a book including all Chekhov’s plays and vaudevilles

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thanks for kind words. We get pushed into doing Chekhov, when some of his plays (like he was) are a bit mad, but if people can understand what the hell his characters were going through (fear, jealousy, greed, selfishness, and moments of love to start with, then other plays are probably easier. When some modern plays are about people just shouting their opinions it sometimes helps to be able to show them as having those feelings as well! John Windsor-Cunningham

[@vincezaaa]

@@NewYorkActingCoach my current teachers are young females talking about ‘proper’ gender representation, racial and political correctness. I feel it detracts from the art since they are being biased. I love them as they are good individuals. But I have to do my own research and extended learning outside the school curriculum and environment as I learn better that way. And stumbling upon practitioners such as yourself today is leading me in the right direction.

[@groovynut222]

I'm enjoying this series of videos you're developing of your analyses of playwrights. I'd quite like to see some on writers like Samuel Beckett or maybe Tennessee Williams.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thanks for kind words. My videos are always a result of people asking for solutions to a problem, (which a lot of people recently had with Chekhov), and unless I have a 'new' way of dealing with a problem I dont make a video, sorry. Single questions about anything to do with acting can be put at no cost through the 'Contact' page on my website www.Windsor-Cunningham.com and I coach on Skype and in New York if more detailed help is needed. John.

[@Abdullah_rahil86]

Really loving this channel

[@stevenfitzgerald2214]

I found it’s almost like his characters never speak honestly. They’ll be vocal and complain or express love but there’s always a giant shadow being cast by ego they seems to be their driving force but that they are unaware of or refuse to acknowledge. Mainly they’re never really truly honest with themselves which tends to be the cause of their misery. Tip #1 put a lot of this into context for me. It seems so obvious to me now, of course they’d never have the sense to realise they’re speaking to the wrong person! Thank you for that insight, not just for Chekhov but it’s a question I’ll ask myself for any character going forth. I know Chekhov came from peasantry which I assumed is what gave him his frank appraisal of peoples behaviours. I read that when asked why all his plays were depressing he said it wasn’t his intention and that he was trying to be honest and show people why their fixations tended to be the causes of their own problems. So, his hope was getting people to become aware of these habits would lead to better lives. A note on the plays being “boring” which made me laugh, he said he refused to allow an audience to be distracted by action and that in-action would force people to become aware of what was really going on internally, which then breathed humour into scenes. As soon as you realise someone is complaining to an elderly servant about boredom, suddenly the longer you watch the servant not telling the other person to sod off the funnier the scene becomes. Thank you again for this, the first play I had to analyse was Cherry Orchard and I feel in love with Chekhov but nothing has given as much insight and as big a “everything clicks” moment as your first tip. Thank you kindly!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thanks for your thoughts. The only thing wrong with Chekhov is that he didn't write enough parts for people of my age, or I'd be happily spending these years in some off-off-Alaskan theatre company doing them. Hope you manage the ones that you want in time! John Windsor-Cunningham

[@stevenfitzgerald2214]

@@NewYorkActingCoach thank you for the reply John, a pleasant surprise. I understand, I’ve always thought a Chekhov play centre on an older patriarch would have been great. A brief side note. Just over two years ago at 28 enjoying your videos motivated me to seek out Meisner training in Dublin Ireland. It turns out I was born for it. Now, I’ll be an actor until my last breath. I imagine as a teacher you hope to help people so I wanted you to thank you, you’ve had a profound and life changing effect on me at a time where one road would have lead me to an unfulfilled life and the other to the good life. You’ll have my eternal gratitude! Take care!

[@thurmondg]

I love Chekhov. Thanks for your insight.

[@garymelnyk7910]

Excellent. Stands out!

[@marcosrenaux6844]

Thanks, John. Very interesting and elucidating.

[@chemali]

I absolutely loved your analysis of Chekhov! I am just curious on your take on the play "On the Harmful effects of tobacco" where he is actually speaking to the audience. Thank you for the valuable tips.

[@jacobrogersproctor]

Brilliant as always.

[@abhijeetsinghyadav527]

Googling and reading a lot of Chekhov short stories and the algorithm brought me here. Grateful for the piece of insight! Thanks!

[@gdaymates431]

Thank you! I am reading some of his plays right now.

[@l.w.paradis2108]

Genius. Truly.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Very kind. Better to come soon hopefully. You might even prefer my introduction to the "Fred Astaire method of acting" on KZbin called MadEnglishman.com video 9. Either way, best wishes, back. John

[@itsacorporatething]

Wow, only halfway through and already there are so many insights to Uncle Vanya and Three Sisters that I didn’t notice when I read them. (I’m not an actor)

[@eudorawelty8959]

Bingo. Not going to be acting. Long out of school, but this insight into Chekhov is very helpful.

[@franzliszt3195]

Now I can see why just reading a play has always been so boring. I used to think it was just the difference between text and people, but its so much more -- its what the actor know that I don't. John's video has been profound to me. In future I will have to pay sooooo much more attention. I think, just maybe, watching so much tripe on TV has made me less sensitive to what people say. What John might have revealed that we too are talking to the wrong person, too. Anyway, there is a lot to think about in this vid.

[@hippychile]

Thank you! I feel that I'm going to enjoy Chekhov now!

[@cosimocub]

my favourite writer!

[@beldengi]

On Kanopy.com there is a performance of The Three Sisters by a theatre company in Novosibirsk where the actors only communicate in the sign language of the deaf. The subtitles seem to follow the text of the play quite accurately. It is a fascinating film and an interesting performance.

[@charlesh1]

I wish I'd had you as a teacher back in the day. Thank you!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Kind of you to say, but you might be amazed at the number of experienced film-stars who still go to 'class'. They do go 'together' to avoid feeling embarrassed by being seen among unsuccessful actors, and they keep it to themselves when they coach each other, but many famous 'names' know that they still have things to learn. Stars who have never quite managed the strength of James Bond, comedy-actors who want to be taken more seriously . . . there is no limit to when one can suddenly 'grow' in this business, and nobody needs to come to me, as they can probably develop perfectly well on their own if they think about it enough. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@keeperofwhatyouseek]

I’m glad I’m not the only one that felt that way

[@shakespearaamina9117]

Thank you! Such an amazing talk!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thanks for kind words. Better videos to come hopefully! John Windsor-Cunningham

[@danielstewart8407]

Oh, it's such a delight to just hear you talking. It's a pity you'e in New York City. We need you here, John... in Paris.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thank you. But I do coach on skype. It may work well because we're both concentrated on the screen! Anyway I charge as little as possible and you're welcome to ask about it, bu best not to do so here as I often miss messages here. PLease use the 'Contact' page on my website (www.Windsor-Cunningham.com) or my email [e-mail] and I'll be happy to help if I can. John

[@alexisweber2]

I'm a young actress trying to learn and I just watched all your videos and it's helping me so much! Thank you so much and keep uploading! Oh btw my name is Alexis and I'm from America. Ok bye for now. :D

[@faizalkhan400]

hey i am also an actor but i wwanted to wwork with hollywood but its seems to be difficult for me but i will try to do everything that can help me to acheive my dream....

[@satanbrony9235]

Hello Alexis, I hope that you are doing well

[@larrybrent4888]

Thank you very much for the interesting explanation and the great tips and advices how to understand and see the plays by Chekhov and his characters. I am about to play Treplyov in The Seagull and your video helped me a lot. All the best to you!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Kind of you to say, thank you. So important - in his plays particularly perhaps - for us to be able to identify with the characters in some kmd of way. So best wishes! John Windsor-Cunningham

[@larrybrent4888]

Thank you, Sir!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

you're welcome.

[@teachersilvina1]

Thanks a bunch! I´m about to play Arkadina and it´s been of great help for me too....

[@demonpit3872]

Hi,Mr.John Windsor love to say that all your videos are outstanding and helpful Feel entirely thankful for your uploading Could you possibly tell me what sort of accent Ray Winstone and Jason Staham have,Do they have the same Birtish accent?

[@kirstenwalstedt1620]

Good Yule and a jolly wassail!

[@robertgallagher5285]

Funny Sam Shepard said he never GOT Checkhov I find them good to watch as a play reader I find it kind of just a bunch of unconnected dialogue (the one thing I could not believe I learned from Chekhov is the system of Peasants|Nobles that existed in Russia where half the population were slaves to the other half Unbelievable) like Eugene O' Neil Strindbergs The Dance of Death still my favorite play??!!!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Yes, but what you notice so clearly in the lines has other meanings as well. The EXTENT of the class issue, the sudden kindness, the unawareness of being selfish, and the frantic wish for a FUTURE, and lots more, all make the class attitudes human and not philosophical, but they need actors who are willing to work unbelievably hard.

[@robertgallagher5285]

​​​@@NewYorkActingCoachfunny the extent of playwright differences Sam Shepard said he never got Checkhov he put it nicely said he was not a big fan of his plays whereas David Mamet (Shepard's Contemporary) did revisions of Checkhov and did not love O' Neil whereas Shepard said he never considered being a playwright until he saw the 1962 MOVIE version of O'Neils LongDaysJourneyIntoNight which he considered one of the greatest movie versions of a play or Novel EVER made ha,ha, differences of opinion??!!!

[@carlgilbert6422]

thank you.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

You're welcome. The next problem is, - as with many plays, - they are not meant to be 'read' (to find out what they are about ), they are meant to be rehearsed and studied. Reading them without a a group of other actors, or a director or coach who has DONE the plays, still makes Chekhov difficult. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@lfior]

Thank you!

[@kylevelaz]

That was THE perfect ending to this video 👏

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thank you so much! John Windsor-Cunningham

[@franzliszt3195]

Yes, indeed. In Russia do they actually laugh out loud at Chekhov?

[@omnaysayer]

incredible 9 minutes. what a luck to have seen this. a vanka audiobook brought me here, and i'm bloody happy for that. just one thing: the editing gets weirder. I see the gaps betweens your lines are speeded up. that gets noticeable, and blatant, fast.

[@franzliszt3195]

I like him saving us time.

[@frimagarden]

Lots of love from Russia)

[@marcuscameron8274]

Chekhov is probably one of the best playwrights in history. Second only to Shakespeare, of course

[@spensert4933]

Not an actor. Love this anyway.

[@alexanderhamilton9285]

if I found this maybe 6 months ago, I could have used it for my class :((((

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Well thanks for kind words. Better ones coming soon hopefully. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@juliamondi1185]

Hi I would like to book a session with you for next Saturday. I’ve tried responding to your email and it’s not going through. What shall I do?

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Hi. I'd be happy to see you next Saturday, but I dont like using this site to arrange details as messages can be lost. I'm surprised that you're not having success with my email, so please try the 'Contact' page on my website (Windsor-Cunningham.com) after checking that you do have my email correct ([e-mail]). As soon as I have your email I will send you details and check that I can be of real use to you! But do try my 'Contact' page first please. I've had several messages from others today but it's a worry to think some people are not getting through. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

SORRY - you are right the Contact page was not working. Please use my direct email, [e-mail], if that does not work I will put my phone here, but prefer not to. So please try [e-mail] John.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

I dont know what is happenng with my Contact page, and you dont seem to have any success using my email ([e-mail]) so if you tell me what your email is I will email you with details. Just send it here and I'll erase it as soon as I've copied it off. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@MicCollins]

One Question. What if the actors are constantly talking over each other? Is that a particular trait of chekhov or is it a choice in acting and direction?

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Definitely not a trait of Chekhov, but far too big an issue to answer here. Can only suggest you try a session with me if you ever need to get into this in depth, but am not pushing anyone to come to me for coaching as there are quite a ot already doing so! - bit all I can think to say, sorry. Otherwise just avoid talking through each other. JOhn (www.Windsor-Cunningham) - but the way the contact page there is a far better way to contact me than here.

[@MicCollins]

Thank you very much. I'm not an actor, just a stagehand, who was struggling with chekhov before watching your video. I doubt I would have been able to overcome this struggle without your help. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for your prompt reply. In short, for everything.