Based on Anton Chekhov s play, Three Sisters, Kenneth MacMillan s one-act ballet is unequivocally a masterpiece, revealing as it does the intricate relationship of the characters trapped in the stultifying atmosphere of a Russian provincial town at the turn of the 20th century. In this studio recording, Darcey Bussell dances the role of Masha, the sister married to a boring, worthy schoolteacher, danced by Anthony Dowell, and drawn into an adulterous affair with Colonel Vershinin, danced with passionate intensity and thrilling virtuosity by Irek Mukhamedov.Masha: Darcy BussellColonel Vershinin: Irek MukhamedovOlga: Nicola TranahIrina: Viviana DuranteKulygin: Anthony DowellAndrey Prozorov: Gary AvisNatasha: Genesia RosatoTusenbach: Stephen WicksSolyony: Adam CooperDr Chebutykin: Derek RencherAnfisa: Gerd LarsenMaid: Jacqui TallisSoldiers: Luke Haydon, Philip Mosley, David Pickering, Alistair MarriottOriginal Designs By Peter FarmerDesigner For Videogram: Eric WalmsleyProduced and Directed for Videogram By Derek Bailey Piano pieces by Tchaikovskyarranged and played by Philip GammonTraditional Russian music selected and arranged for guitar ensemble by Thomas HartmanCommentary by Lynn Redgrave