A Month in the Country
Cambridge Theatre, London, 1965
Role: Alexsei Beliaev

A Month in the Country by Ivan Turgenev, has been called one of the most important plays of the 19th century.

Although Turgenev dubbed it a comedy, A Month in the Country depicts serious conflicts in love relationships that belie the serenity of the country setting.

The production that opened in London in September 1965 starred Ingrid Bergman as Natalia and was directed by Michael Redgrave.

Here is a plot summary, paraphrased from The Complete Films of Ingrid Bergman, by Lawrence J. Quirk:

Natalia is a passionate and imaginative woman who is bored in her marriage and the country estate where she lives. She flirts with her husband's friend, but his tepid attentions bore her as well.

Then, the magnetic young tutor Alexsei Beliaev arrives to guide Natalia's son through his studies. Natalia falls in love with Beliaev, whose youthful high spirits and flirtatiousness rejuvenate her jaded perceptions.

However, Beliaev also flirts with Natalia's beautiful 17-year-old ward, Vera. When Natalia's jealous rages prove too much, Beliaev goes back to Moscow.

Vera, embittered and hurt by Belaiev's departure, succumbs to a marriage proposal from a neighboring landowner. And Natalia is left more lonely, frustrated and bored than ever.

The Times of London said, "Mr. Jeremy Brett gives a virtuoso account of a thankless role." Indeed, commentary on the play has noted that the role of the tutor "is a fairly empty part."

More critical praise for Jeremy in this role can be found at The Brettish Empire.

Full text of the play