IVANOV opens at Belvoir, with design by Michael Hankin and Mel Page

Eamon Flack’s stunning contemporary adaptation of Chekhov’s IVANOV opened 19th September at Belvoir, with set design by Michael Hankin and costumes by Mel Page.

Jason Blake of the Sydney Morning Herald praised Michael and Mel’s design for helping to successfully relocate the play from 19th Century Russia to contemporary Australia.

Ben Neutze of the Daily Review gave the play 4.5 stars and also commended Michael and Mel’s design; 
“Ivanov is living on an inherited, dilapidated country estate realised smartly in Michael Hankin’s monochrome set, [and]… the characters of Zinaida and Babakina, who have been recast as the Real Housewives of Russia, [are] costumed in beautifully gaudy Eurotrash ensembles by costume designer Mel Page.”  

Critic Suzy Wrong also praised Michael and Mel’s innovative design choices;
“Michael Hankin’s set is immediately evocative, but also cheeky with symbols that add significantly to its overall and ubiquitous social commentary”
“Blazey Best and Helen Thomson play obnoxious women of means…. present[ing] offensively loud personalities in brilliant displays of sublime but exaggerated humour (wonderfully supported by Mel Page’s outrageous costuming)”. 

IVANOV plays at Belvoir St Theatre until 1st November. Tickets are available on the Belvoir website. Photo by Brett Boardman.