In the Wings (play)

"In the Wings" is a play by Anton Chekhov, left unfinished at the time of his death in 1904. It is sometimes also referred to as "That Platonov!" or simply "Platonov," due to the centrality of the character Mikhail Platonov.

The play is a sprawling, four-act drama that depicts a single day in the life of a rural Russian village. The central character, Mikhail Platonov, is a schoolteacher known for his wit, intelligence, and cynical charm. He is pursued by multiple women, including his wife, an old flame, and the stepdaughter of the estate owner. Platonov's sharp intellect and disillusioned outlook lead him to a series of increasingly destructive actions, ultimately culminating in tragedy.

Because "In the Wings" was discovered among Chekhov's papers, the exact title is debated, as Chekhov himself never finalized it. The title reflects the idea of characters waiting, observing, and holding back from fully participating in their lives, much like actors standing "in the wings" before entering the stage. This theme of inertia and unfulfilled potential is characteristic of Chekhov's dramatic works.

The play is known for its large cast of characters, its blend of comedy and tragedy, and its exploration of themes such as disillusionment, adultery, societal decay, and the search for meaning in a changing world. It is considered an early work, showing the seeds of Chekhov's later, more refined dramatic style found in plays like "The Seagull," "Uncle Vanya," "Three Sisters," and "The Cherry Orchard."