Is this some sort of hobby Brian Friel's got going? Re-writing Chekhov? He's famed for his continued fascination and affinity with the influential Russian playwright and after last year's Uncle Vanya, it looks like he's making quite the habit of it. The three sisters of the title are Olga, Masha and Irina and they all share the same burning desire… to return to Moscow, the city of their birth. Trapped in a provincial town deep in the Russian countryside, after the death of their army father, they dream of glamour, stimulation and love. As the years pass, will they succumb to a life of quiet desperation and compromise? Or will they find a way to escape and fulfill their dream? Anton Chekhov's great drama of ideals and illusions is brought to life in this poignant and much-lauded version by Brian Friel. Acclaimed international director David Leveaux makes his Abbey Theatre debut with this production which runs from June 24th to August 2nd with previews from June 18th.