Critical Chain By Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt - 1348 Words

Summary of Critical Chain novel Critical Chain is a novel that wrote by Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt. In the Novel, he used novel mode to describe that how to use Critical Chain Theory to fix manage problem. Specially, he used common sense and logical deduction to give us a clearly description about the complex manage problems. This special is interested me a lot that attract me to fail into the story that can follow Dr. Goldratt’s ideas. In the book, Dr. Goldratt talks about how a professor trying to attain his tenure at a university’s business school. Dr. Glodratt acted as the professor to show us how the teaching philosophy could be changed and how to apply the Theory of Constraints to project management. This novel has many surprises for me that give me a lot of opinion about project management and I got many points to think about what I need to be. In the book, the author talked about the reasons which cause the project schedule delay. The author used a problem called students syndrome which happens in the students, and also I think it’s normal happening in employee community. In students life, there is a phenomenon happens a lot. When the professors assign homework, such as if a homework could be finished in one week, but most of times the students will ask for two weeks to finish which mean that the students like to have longer time to make sure they have enough times. In this case, if the professor agrees the request to make the due date in two weeks, what will happen? TheShow MoreRelatedA Most Excellent Goal : Using Goldratts Theory Of Constraints1577 Words   |  7 PagesConstraints A seed contains all the information necessary for its fruit to reproduce and flourish. In 1984, the late Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt wrote The Goal, a novel that contains a theory with principles and techniques that have been the catalyst for the operational success of companies and organizations around the world. How did a book, written to support a scheduling system developed by Goldratt to help increase production at a neighbor’s chicken coop plant (Naor, Bernardes, Coman, 2012), become requiredRead MoreThe Goal Is A Business Novel Written By Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt And Jeff Cox1243 Words   |  5 Pagesgoal is a business novel written by Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox. Many copies have been sold worldwide since was first published in 1984. The book has been translated in different languages, which make it easy to read and understand. The book’s success came through the way how it frames the concept of bottlenecks. Eliyahu Goldratt wrote different books, such as It’s Not Luck, Critical Chain, Necessary but Not Sufficient and Isn’t It Obvious? Goldratt was the original founder of The TheoryRead MoreA Critique of the Critical Chain Approach to Project Management3777 Words   |  16 PagesCourse in Operations Management ASSIGNMENT 1: â€Å"A CRITIQUE OF THE CRITICAL CHAIN APPROACH TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT† 3,000 words excluding reference list and summary for Dr. Tom Mullen Anthony C Mould October 2003 Reprinted with the kind permission of Anthony C Moulds. This essay should be viewed as an example of a well written, structured, referenced and argued assignment. It has been issued to MBA students on commencement of their studies, prior to submission of their first assignment. Read MoreCritical Review of Its Not Luck3315 Words   |  14 PagesWrite a critical review of the book Its not Luck by EM Goldratt from an operations strategy perspective. The emphasis of your review should be on principles of good operations strategy and should NOT just be a summary of the book. Table of Contents 1. Preface 3 2. Introduction to Business Strategy and its Operations Strategy 3 3. Levels of Strategy 4 4. Executive Summary of Its Not Luck 6 5. Principles of Operations Strategy 7 6. Conclusion 9 7. References 10 1. Preface Read MoreTransforming Total Sales into Net Profits51271 Words   |  206 Pages..................................................................... 7. Distribution: From Push to Pull ........................................... 8. Project Management ............................................................. 9. The Supply Chain ................................................................. 10. Information Technology: Necessary But Not Sufficient .... 43 51 61 71 81 87 Making It Happen, Now and in the Future 11. Buy-In: Overcoming the Layers of Resistance .......Read MoreTotal Quality Management and Core Process Reengineering6858 Words   |  28 Pagesthat the level of failures due to quality was minimized. 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Although the Information Services (IS) Department had worked to improve the technology for call centers, past projectsRead MoreProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 Pagessocial environments F.1 Integration of project management processes [3.1] 6.5.2 Setting a schedule baseline [8.1.4] 6.5.3.1 Setting a resource schedule 6.5.2.4 Resource leveling 7.2 Setting a cost and time baseline schedule (1.3.5) [8.1.3] 6.5.2.3 Critical chain method Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Reducing Project Duration Leadership Chapter 2 Organization Strategy and Project Selection 1.4 Projects and programs (.2) 1.4.1 Managing the portfolio 1.4.3 Strategy and projects 2.3 Stakeholders and reviewRead MoreIntroduction to Materials Management169665 Words   |  679 Pagescovers all the basics of supply chain management, manufacturing planning and control systems, purchasing, and physical distribution. The material, examples, questions, and problems lead the student logically through the text. The writing style is simple and user-friendly—both instructors and students who have used the book attest to this. In the sixth edition, we have added the following: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ More content on Theory of Constraints (Chapter 6) More content on supply chains (Chapter 7) More content on

Rapid Rewards at Southwest Airlines Case Study Essay

Rapid Rewards at Southwest Airlines Case Study Southwest Airlines prided themselves on their commitment to customer service and equality by offering a streamlined business model with an emphasis on simplicity and efficiency that has remained the same for the most part since the airlines’ inception in 1967. At the time of the case study, Southwest had been profitable for the past 28 years, an achievement many airlines are incapable of boasting due to the volatility of the airline industry. One of the unique policies that Southwest employs is their ‘single-class service,’ where seats are not assigned, and those who check in first board the plane first and have their pick of available seating. In order to improve and maintain†¦show more content†¦In addition, if one flew over 50 round-trips or 100 single-way trips one could receive a Rapid Rewards Companion Pass, which allowed members to designate one person to travel with the Rewards Member free for one yea r. However, beyond the generous aforementioned offerings, Southwest refused to give anyone pre-boarding privileges or seating regardless of preferential status. In recent years, this had become a bone of contention among frequent fliers, who felt as though their continued patronage deserves some kind of pre-boarding or preferential seating privileges. Southwest’s current strategy involved customers being willing to sacrifice the amenities and privileges offered by the more premium and expensive airlines in order to receive a cheaper fare, quicker gate turn-around, fewer cancellations, and a higher safety record. If Southwest were to change their egalitarian policies and values and offer frequent fliers low-numbered boarding cards, it would help keep their current frequent flier customers in addition to potentially attracting new ones who were initially turned off by their lack of pre-boarding preferential treatment. However, it would create a cognitive dissonance between the firms’ core values and their practices. Southwest offered two types of fares; an unrestricted, generally available option which was fully refundable and allowed for changes to travelShow MoreRelatedName at Least Two Things That Southwest Is Doing Efficiently1486 Words   |  6 PagesPlane Smart Harvard Business School – Case Study Summary Abhishek Mehra Balaji P Saruabh Ranadive Sarang Bhutada * 2. 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The Corporate culture theories developed by Hofstede, Deal and Kennedy and Handy have been listed and briefly discussed. I have looked at two real life examples of successful corporate cultures, namely Southwest Airlines and Hewlett Packard. I have also briefly looked at the negative sides of corporate culture to avoid bias. Furthermore I have looked at how corporate culture affects (International) mergers and acquisition s of companie. I have given an analysisRead MoreSouthwest Airlines Organizational Behavior Culture2118 Words   |  9 PagesCulture Southwest Airlines’ Success through Organization Culture Kristin Philip Abstract This paper, Southwest Airlines’ Success through Organization Culture gives an account of the development of the organizational culture of Southwest Airlines. The paper starts with the background of Southwest and its development over the years. The paper explains the unique culture of Southwest, and how it has helped Southwest Airlines to face challenges. The paper also describes how Southwest Airlines respondedRead MoreSouthwest Airlines Case Study in 2010 Essay21106 Words   |  85 PagesInstructor Case: Southwest Airlines in 2010 Dr. Deb Sircar University of Greenwich Business School http://create.mcgraw-hill.com Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher

Andrew Jackson Essay Conclusion Example For Students

Andrew Jackson Essay Conclusion Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson (1767-1845) was the seventh president of the United States (1829-1837). He made his way to wealth in a frontier society and leadership. All of the common people liked him and he established a bond with them. All of the common people looked to him for leadership when they were struggling. To them he was a good role model. Andrew Jackson was born on March 5,1767 in south Carolina. When Jacksons father died they moved into the home of James Crawford. He went to frontier schools and got a reputation on being fiery tempered and willing to fight.(Jackson, Andrew, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.com 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)The American revolution didnt reach Carolina until 1780 and Jackson, who was only 13 at the time, served as a militia orderly and messenger. Jackson and his brother Robert were captured when the British raided Waxhaw. His mother and Robert died because of smallpox when he was 14.(www.americanpresident.org/history/andrewjackson/biography) Since he didnt have any other family he was a saddle maker and taught school. He inherited 300 dollars from his grandpa and went to Charleston, South Carolina and spent all his money there. In Salisbury, North Carolina Jackson studies law under Spruce Macay. He set up an office in Mcleanville when he entered practice in 1787.(Jackson, Andrew, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.com 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)In 1788 he and John Mcnairy crossed the Cumberland mountains where they settled in Nashville.(www.ipl.org/div/potus/ajackson.html) Mcnairy was made a judge of the districts Superior Court because he had connections. He made Jackson solicitor general which was to prepare court cases on behalf of the state. Because of his successful law practice he made a name for himself by prosecuting debators. He married Mrs. Racheal Donelson Robards in 1791 but since she never completely divorced her old husband they were remarried two years later.(www.americanpresident.org/history/andrewjackson/biography )They did not have any children of their own but they did adopt Racheals infant nephew, who was Andrew Jackson Jr. they also adopted three other nephews of Racheals. They even raised a native American boy whose parents had been killed in Jacksons Campaign against the Creek Nation in 1814. In 1796 Jackson became the Tennessee delegate to the United States House of Representatives. One year in the house, Jackson was elected to fill out an unexpired term in the Senate. He served from September 1797 to April 1798 and then retired to prvate life. Jackson was appointed Judge of the Superior Court from 1798-1804. His decisions were said to be short, unethical, unlearned, sometimes grammatical , and generally right.(Jackson, Andrew, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.co m 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)He was very active in politics but didnt really care about national affairs. In the war of 1812 Jackson was Major General of the Tennessee Militia. At the battle of Horseshoe Bend in March 1814 on the Tallapoosa River Jackson wiped out millions of acres of Creek land to the United States and killed many Creek forces. In May 1814 Jackson Became Major General in the Federal army. On his way to New Orleans, to defend the city against British attack, he captured the British military base and arrived in New Orleans. On December 13,1814 the British were going to try a surprise attack on Jacksons exposed flank.(www.americanpresident.org/history/andrewjackson/biography ) Jackson heard the plan and he launched his own surprise attack and set up a defense in a dry canal. On January 8,1815 the British were attacked in force but were thrown back.(Jackson, Andrew, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.com 1997-2005 Mi crosoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)For the election of 1824 Jacksons opponents were John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford and Henry Clay. Although Jackson had won the electoral and popular vote, he didnt have enough of a majority vote to win.(Jackson, Andrew, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.com 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)On February 9,1825 the House of Representatives chose Adams for President. In 1828 Jackson received 178 electoral votes and Adams got 83. He also won a majority of the popular vote. Jackson rewarded his political supporters with Cabinet positions. He relied less on his official cabinet in forming policy then he did on a group of close friends known as the Kitchen Cabinet. Jackson did not like the national bank and rejected it. In the election of 1832 it was Jackson vs. Clay. The election was centered on the bank issue, so Jackson won the second term easily. .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e , .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .postImageUrl , .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e , .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e:hover , .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e:visited , .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e:active { border:0!important; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e:active , .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9ebd87d9d960d0987c154b8dd143091e:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: PTSD Symptoms and Treatments EssayBefore Jacksons second term began, nullification became an issue again. In 1832 there was a tariff that congress passed which deemed oppressive to South Carolina. A convention declared this tariff null. Finally South Carolina excepted the tariff but they nullified the force bill.(www.americanpresident.org/history/andrewjackson/biography) Jackson was the only president to ever pay off the National debt. The state banks were printing money that was more than the government actually had. Jackson wanted to force all of the American Indians, remaining in the east of the Mississippi River, further west.(www.americanpresident.org/history/andrewja ckson/biography) He knew that Indian lands would make very good farms for white settlers. He turned a deaf ear to all arguments about Indian rights; so did his selfish supporters. Under United States treaties Indians were treated as an independent nation. Jackson encouraged people to ignore the courts ruling. In Texas there were a lot of slaveholding southerners who settled there and Texas was part of Mexico which was sparsely colonized by the Mexicans and Spanish. Most of the new settlers wanted to annex Texas to the United States. Jackson thought the same way as them. Jackson refused to press for annexation because the Northern states didnt want another slave state. On his last day in office he recognized the independent republic of Texas and appointing a diplomat to represent the United States there. In 1836 Jackson was weak from tuberculosis and he didnt want to do a third term, but he did continue with affairs of state and party, including that the party nominated Van Buren as his successor. He grimly fulfilled the duties of his office until the inauguration that following March. The last day of Jacksons presidency was as much a personal triumph as his first. Thousands came to bid good bye to their beloved hero. Jackson spent the last eight years of his life at the Hermitage. He continued to entertain political supporters and kept a close watch on National affairs. On his deathbed he said. My dear children ,and friends, and servants, I hope and trust to meet you all in heaven, both white and black-both white and black.(Jackson, Andrew, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.com 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)

Three Sisters Essay Example

Three Sisters Paper In the light of your study of Stanislavski and after seeing Miss Julie how would you direct the opening act of Three Sisters? The opening of Act One of Chekhovs Three Sisters, gives detailed stage directions, which offers valuable information on the main characters of the play; the three sisters, Irina, Masha and Olga. As a director, I would encourage the actors playing these roles to read the information, as it defines clearly the different characters of the sisters, and so can be used for characterisation. As a director, I am fully aware that Three Sisters is a realist play; therefore, this would prompt me to use Stanislavski methods to develop true to life portrayals of the characters. The following is a sketch of Act One: During the opening of the play the three sisters will sit in their designated areas and the audience will watch while Olga marks her books, Irina puts on make-up for her party, and Masha reads a book on the window seat, subdued. In the background (the ballroom), the table will be laid by a servant, which could be played by Anfisa, the old nurse. We will write a custom essay sample on Three Sisters specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Three Sisters specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Three Sisters specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The clip-clop sound of her heels as she rushes about will make stark contrast to the silence of the sisters. I aspire to obtain the audience to suspend their disbelief, and remain this through-out the play. This idea is heavily influenced by the theatre production of After Miss Julie. My intention is for the audience to see the closeness of the relationship between Olga and Irina. Moreover, to see how Masha is the recluse of the sisters, and overlooked by them due to her quietness and concealed emotions. Olga (as indicated by her regulation dark-blue dress of a high school teacher) is the mother figure for the sisters, especially Irina, who never really knew her mum. Irina seems distant from her sisters, as she is the only young one left, and she is still happy-go-lucky and enjoys her life without worry. Olga is the oldest, and uses this to boss the others sisters around. Olga is the only sister to work, and so is constantly moaning about her work. She revels in being the sister with authority, but also resents it, as she feels forced into work since her fathers death. Her movements should be very swift, and she should constantly be moving around, making herself busy, yet achieving nothing, reflecting a theme of the play. This will create humour for the audience, as they will see her fussing over everything, yet doing nothing. Her movements should be very rapid, restless, and hurried. Using Stanislavskis methods, I would find out the super objective of Olgas character, to create naturalism. Personally, I believe Olgas motivations in life are to return to Moscow, and find a husband. This is from the social context of the play, where many women believed they needed a husband to achieve true happiness, and also a husband would result in Olga not needing a job. To show this in the play I will show Olga being extremely interested in Tuzenback and flirtatiously behaving with him as he talks about Vershinin. This can be achieved by making lots of eye contact with him and her moving closer to him, until she hears he has a wife, and then she will sharply turn away. An objective of Olgas character is to continue working, although she says It wears me out, I believe she loves it and could not just sit at home like the other sisters. This arises one of the themes of the play work. None of the sisters worked previously as they are wealthy and do not have the need to work. I believe Chekhov used this to show that you need to work to have ambition and achieve in life. This is shown in the play, as all the sisters ambition is to return to Moscow, yet none of them does anything towards this ambition. Chekhov himself was born into a poor family, but worked hard and achieved an amazing amount. I think this highlights the social context of the play between rich and poor. Rich and poor is an underlying theme of Act One, and was an important issue in the era of the play. Natasha is of low class, and so discriminated against by the sisters who believe she is not good enough for their beloved Andrew. Masha in particular scrutinises everything about Natasha, from her clothes, which are downright pathetic to her make-up and hair. This shows a very materialistic viewpoint, and shows no intent to get to know Natasha, just judge her because of her class. This also shows how much the sisters love Andrew and do not want him getting hurt. I believe the sisters are very jealous of allowing another female into their household, which is why they resent Natasha. In Act One Natasha should be portrayed as a very timid young woman, this can be shown by her emotional outbursts and general uncertainty. Natasha and Andrew provide the only true love shown in Act One, and as they finish the Act, lead the audience to believe there will be much more to come. The couple give an optimistic out-look that good things can come out of bad situations, and I think this leaves the end of Act One on a happy and loving end. The sketch of the set of the play shows Masha is facing the audience she will be able to communicate with them, they will be able to see clearly her facial expressions, which will create an intimacy with the audience, and I hope result in the audience watching Masha and perhaps feeling sympathy for her. Being in at the side of the other two sisters also allows Olga and Irina to talk about Masha in whispers, and direct facial expressions at her, without her noticing. The description of Masha in a black dress, sits with her hat on her lap reading a book convey the isolation of her character. The black portrays seriousness, and hiding her feelings from the other sisters. I believe Masha is a character who tries to forget everything bad in her life. I think this results in her feeling severely depressed, as in the instance of the death of her father; bottling up her feelings has resulted in Masha not getting over the death, just replaying it repeatedly in her mind, effectively making her unable to think of anything else and become further withdrawn. She rarely speaks, and because of this, the sisters cannot help her. However when Masha does speak, it upsets the other sisters as Masha is the strong one, and causes them to break down with her; Olga particularly loses control. Masha is also depressed over her marriage; she believed her husband was intelligent and wise, and now she refuses to accept the reality that he is not this, and she does not love him. The audience will have an insight into the true Masha, an insecure person, who is deeply upset by her sisters relationship and her life in general. This will be shown by Masha observing the play, without allowing the other characters to see (which will create dramatic irony), and reacting to the action behind her, while facing the audience. Masha can use the audience as a friend, and watch them rather than interact with her sisters. Mashas facial expressions are very important in order to portray her character naturalistically. Due to this I would use Stanislavskis acting method of emotion memory, by asking the actress playing Masha to remember how it felt in a part of her life when she had no one to help her, and her life was disappearing before her eyes. I would then ask her to use these feelings with Masha, to create naturalism. Part of Mashas character resents the close relationship between Olga and Irina, and this leads to her feeling more isolated. This will be shown when Masha whistles. The whistle will be one of those pretend Im not here whistles but at the same time, the whistle will remind the other sisters of Mashas existence. There is a different side to Mashas character that occasionally shows a more ambitious and happy person; such as when she proclaims You only live once, where I believe Mashas voice should change from a bored, monotonous, pre-occupied, slow and quiet voice to a faster, excited, almost breathy voice. This will highlight the change of character and therefore the comedy-tragedy that Chekhov aimed will succeed. Both the sisters adore Irina, the youngest, but especially Olga, because of their mother-daughter type relationship. Again, the stage directions explain Irinas character, in a white dress, stands lost in thought. Irina is young and free, with no commitments in life, and has time to spend her day deep in thought. Her character is portrayed through her becoming very excitable at the thought of her oncoming party, and applying make-up and choosing her clothes. This shows that she has the time to spend doing these useless tasks, and demonstrates her need to dress-up to feel more important and grown-up, as well as impress the male guests. Irina is innocent and pure, as indicated by her white dress, but can be immature, such as when she remarks I know everything, which show she believes she has knowledge, which is expanded on later in the play when Masha remarks We know too much, while talking to Andrew about their education. I believe Chekhov is making a political point about how many people believe they know too much, when they know nothing. Chekhov was very philosophical (which reflects in many of his characters including Masha and Solyony), and once said Only Charlatans know everything and understand nothing. This is true to many characters of the play; for example Tuzenback, has never worked a day in his life, and believes he learns all he needs through newspapers. As a director, I would use this to create humour, by allowing the audience to laugh at these sad people, who have no grasp on reality. The theme of ambition plays a large part of Act One, as well as the rest of the play. All three of the sisters are striving towards moving back to Moscow, as this is where all their happy memories are. However, none of the sisters do anything towards their ambition, and so nothing changes in their lives. This again highlights how sad rich peoples lives can be, as they have no drive to do anything for themselves, as they can happily survive on what their family provides for them. To show this in the play I would have the characters constantly fussing over the clock (placed in the centre of the drawing room). This will represent how time is passing by in front of them without them realising, while they continue their petty lives. Each of the characters deep down knows they will not achieve their dream, but each of them long for it all the same. The theme of ambition also shows the frustration of the sisters, particularly Masha, to escape to the big city yet they only talk about it. Again, I believe Chekhov is making a social statement about the amount of people in Russia who wanted to change the out-dated social order at the time of the play, yet did nothing to achieve this goal. This theme is personal to Chekhov, as he DID return to his family in Moscow, showing you can achieve dreams with effort. I would achieve comedy throughout Act One using the various characters Chekhov included to provide comic relief for the audience, characters such as Tuzenback, Chebutykin, and Solyony, to distract from the awful tragedy of the majority of the play. These characters can be completely over-acted but still believable. These characters are typical nutty professors and they should all be dressed eccentrically, and constantly thinking of new ideas. The doctor is the typical result of doing too much work in his life, meaning he has been driven crazy. To achieve humour the actors must fully believe every word they say and make sure they take themselves seriously, even though they are clowns. These characters all flirt with the sisters, that also creates humour, and I believe they find it their duty to look after the sisters since their fathers death. This is another case of the characters believing they know more than they do. Another chance for comedy is how the three sisters smother Andrew, and clap at him and generally treat him like a child. Humour is achieved by making the sisters become over-enthusiastic mothers, fussing over Andrew, and showing off his achievements, such as the frames on the piano. The audience will be able to relate to this experience and so find it very funny. Ferapont can also be used to create humour because he can be played as a typical bewildered, deaf, old man. The setting of Act One will be very naturalistic, all props will be used (including knives, forks, table cloth, tables, samovar, chairs, cake, columns, curtains and swords), with fully made-up rooms, including appropriate flooring, curtains, and wallpaper, with everything looking aged, to fit with the period of the play. Many unused and often ugly but expensive ornaments will be placed around the ballroom, to show how the Prozorovs have lots of money for luxurious items, as well as painting scattered on the walls and an old bookcase. The ballroom table will also convey the wealth of the family, using ridiculous numbers of knives and forks around the immaculately placed plates, with flowers in the middle of the table, to indicate the springtime time of year. Lighting will be used to mimic natural sunlight streaming through the windows. The audience will be situated around the stage in a semi-circle, and the audience size will be small (around 250), so they will all be very close to the actors. This will make the audience feel more involved, and make the drama more realistic, personal, and believable. All costumes will be to date, and according to the stage directions and only natural make-up will be used. All male soldiers will be wearing military uniforms and civilian clothing. The pace of Act One will develop throughout, to prepare the audience for more tension and a climax in the following acts. In conclusion, I believe the relationship between the three sisters is the focus of Act One, and how they react to other people. I believe the solution to making this play work theatrically is to use Chekhovs idea of comedy and tragedy, to develop the naturalism of the play, as life often has highs and lows. The tragedy of the play creates tension and allows the audience to relate to characters, and then the comedy allows the audience to forget the problems and enjoy the play, as well as making the tragedy more obvious, and at times heartbreaking. To develop Act One I would continue to use Stanislavski methods to increase the naturalism of the play, and improve characterisation.