What Chekhov Wanted
SIR,—Hilary Spurling's review of the Gielgud lyanov is surely a little unfair to one of the actors, Mr. Richard Pasco, in blaming him because he portrayed Chekhov's 'Dr. Lvov' as an unattractive, interfering prig. That this is how Chekhov saw Lvov is fairly clear from the text of the play (of which I happen to be doing a new translation) and also from the author's own references to Lvov in correspondence. Attending a performance in Oxford, I thought that this Lvov was just what Chekhov wanted—as indeed was this delightful production as a whole.
RONALD HINGLEY
Frilford Grange, Frilford, Nr. Abingdon. Berks.
[Hilary Spurting writes: 'I disagree with Mr. Hing- Icy's reading of the text, and so, 1 think, did Chekhov who wrote in a letter to Suvorin dated December 1888: "Lvov is honest and straightforward, and lie blurts out the truth without sparing himself. . . Such people are useful, and are for the most part attractive. To caricature them, even in the interests of the play. is unfair and, indeed, unnecessary.”'— Editor. Spectator.]
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