Swan Song

"Swan Song" by Anton Chekhov is a moving play from a time of change in Russian writing, that shows a deep look at growing old, feeling alone, and what it means to live a life dedicated to art. The play tells the story of an older actor realizing his life is ending and his best days are behind him. Chekhov, known for understanding people, creates a story that’s both sad and funny about life in the theater. The story is about Vasili Svetlovidoff, an actor of 68 years old, locked in a theater after everyone has left. He thinks about his life, feeling sorry and remembering the good times when he was popular and successful. Nikita Ivanitch, an old friend, finds him and together they talk about the past,. The play shows how different his past fame is from his lonely present, making the audience think about how short life is and how important it is to connect with others as we age.