Set in Russia in 1903, The Cherry Orchard tells the story of Madame Ranyevskya, who, after the death of her son five years ago, returns from a period of mourning and recuperation in Paris to find herself faced with a mountain of debts and an impossible decision: lose the family estate or carve up the land for summer holiday cottages. Lopakhin, the wealthy son of their former servant, sees a money-spinning opportunity and urges Ranyevska to consider his scheme for exploiting the Cherry Orchard which means everything to her.