3 Review(s)

The play centers around the character of Ivan Ivanoff, a 35-year-old man who is overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness and despair. He is married to a woman named Anna, who is suffering from a terminal illness, and his financial situation is dire, which causes him to become increasingly withdrawn and indifferent to his responsibilities. His personal life is marked by a lack of passion or enthusiasm, and his relationships with those around him, including his wife, his friends, and his colleagues, are characterized by a deep sense of alienation. Ivanoff's emotional state worsens throughout the play, and he struggles with guilt, apathy, and self-loathing.The play delves into Ivanoff's internal conflicts, particularly his inability to act on his desires and the pressure of social expectations. His former friend, Lebedev, a wealthy landowner, suggests a potential escape from his dire situation through a financial arrangement with another woman, Sasha, but Ivanoff remains paralyzed by indecision. The tension builds as Ivanoff is confronted with his own failings, the mounting demands of his environment, and the reality of his wife's deteriorating health.