Despite his early death from tuberculosis at the age of 44, Chekhov was a prolific writer and produced more than 250 short stories in addition to several novellas and a novel. The Russian was also a practicing doctor.

A celebrated playwright, Anton Chekhov is often recognised as an influential figure of early modernism of the theatre in addition to being held in high esteem by the likes of George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf, although much praise was not as forthcoming until after his death in 1904.

This collection features three plays. Dark comedy The Seagull, is the first of what are considered his 'major plays'. Three Sisters tells the story of a trio of sisters lonely after their father dies and The Cherry Orchard has a dual comedy and tragedy narrative.

The Seagull

Written in 1895 and a master class in the art and power of subtext, The Seagull follows the romantic and artistic conflicts between its four main characters, all dissatisfied with life. Some desire love. Some desire success. Some desire artistic genius. No one seems able to attain happiness.

Tragic and often darkly comic, The Seagull is a timeless classic and an early exercise in addressing the pitfalls of depression and lack of satisfaction in life and purpose.

Full cast: Samantha Bond, Catrin Stewart, Freddie Fox, Anthony Howell, Katherine Kingsley, John Rowe, Rachel Atkins, Hugh Ross, Nick Boulton, Stephen Critchlow.

Three Sisters

After the death of their father, his three daughters find it very hard to live in a drab Russian provincial town. The presence of a company of army officers is the only thing that makes their existence bearable, though inevitable drama, competition and failure lead to confusion and pain, as life doesn't turn out quite to plan for the sisters.

Full cast: Samatha Bond, Freddie Fox, Katherine Kingsley, Alison Pettitt, Catrin Stewart, Clare Corbett, Nick Boulton, Stephen Critchlow, Anthony Howell, Richard Reed, Hugh Ross, John Rowe.

The Cherry Orchard

In Chekhov's last play, a widowed landowner returns home more or less insolvent after five years abroad. Everything appears just as she remembers it, but hers is a diminishing world. The vast and beautiful cherry orchard is soon to be sold off against her mounting debts. The insistent warnings of a peasant's son turned wealthy businessman go unheeded, and more than the family estate is sacrificed.

Full cast: Samatha Bond, Freddie Fox, Hugh Ross, Georgie Grier, Clare Corbett, Richard Reed, Stephen Critchlow, Katherine Kingsley, Nick Boulton, Anthony Howell, Alison Pettitt, John Rowe.

As an Audio Show – free for members – when you add Audible Theatre Collection: Chekhov to your library, you'll get three plays split into a total of 12 acts, each with a runtime of about 35 minutes.