On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco

Overview

In an Australian exclusive, Paris's famed Theatre des Bouffes du Nord will come to Sydney Festival to stage a rarely seen one-act play by Chekhov.

On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco, one of the earliest plays by the Russian great, will be brought to life with exquisite 19th-century-style costumes by Christian Lacroix and the lauded French comic Michel Robin in the lead role. Performed in French with English surtitles, the play follows the monologue of an old man who begins by lecturing on the effects of smoking but quickly turns to railing against his domineering wife and wasted dreams instead. Robin's sense of comic timing is as sharp as ever and his hilarious performance will be staged with lively musical interludes of Bach, Tchaikovsky and Berio.

Home to legendary artistic director Peter Brook for decades, the Theatre des Bouffes du Nord is known worldwide for its engaging and dynamic performances. On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco promises nothing less.