Three Sisters, Almeida Theatre

2019 brings two new adaptations of Chekhov's masterful 1900 play Three Sisters. There's a large-scale revival coming to the National Theatre's Lyttleton stage in autumn; but first, up-and-coming playwright Cordelia Lynn re-works the play for Islington's Almeida Theatre.

We're willing to bet that this will be the bolder of the two shows, with an emphasis on contemporary relevance rather than traditional revival. The story of Olga, Marsha and Irina feeling listless and hopeless in 1901 Moscow will be dragged into modern day London. Chekhov's exploration of limited lives, thwarted dreams and the decline of the liberal elites offer fertile ground for interpretation, and we look forward to seeing how the work translates to a 2019 context.

After a compelling lead performance in Summer and Smoke (which transfers to the West End after selling out the Almeida), Patsy Ferran leads the cast alongside Pearl Chanda (Ink, Almeida Theatre; One For Sorrow, Royal Court Theatre)

After 2016's startling production of Uncle Vanya, the Almeida has a strong track record for making Chekhov feel fresh. And playwright Cordelia Lynn has quickly established a reputation for balancing dark themes and wry comedy since Lela & Co and One For Sorrow at the Royal Court. She collaborates with the Almeida Associate director Rebecca Frecknall for what is set to be a sharp reassment of one of Chekhov's best known plays.