The Cherry Orchard plot
The story is set in the Soviet Union around the year 1900. Madame Ranevsky (Judi Dench) is taken back to their mansion by her daughter Anya because business is going badly and the mansion will probably have to be sold. Madame Ranevsky had left for Paris with her lover five years ago to cope with the loss of her youngest son, who died by drowning. The only salvation seems to be the proposal of merchant Lopakhin (Bill Paterson), to cut down the surrounding cherry orchard and build holiday homes on the estate. However, the family is strongly against this.