Theatre and Dance Reviews

Let's get the headline out of the way straight off. Nicholas Le Provost fell on stage at another theatre and broke his leg. Therefore Mark Extance has stepped up as understudy to play Uncle Vanya in Chekov's comedy of rural life.

"Uncle Vanya" is arguably one of Chekov's most satisfying plays. It captures the life of Tsarist Russia that was to be swept away forever. The comfortable futility of the lives of characters making a living without actually doing anything is captured in a piece of theatre that at time feels like a sepia photograph or a grainy old film.

Pursuit

We see people trapped in pointless lives and any attempts to break free end up in unavoidable disappointment. All us have circumstances which restrain us from achieving our dreams and Chekov captures this through the hopeless pursuit by Vanya and handsome doctor Astrov, of the beautiful Yelena who is married to totally pointless academic Serebrakov.

Yet it is Serebrakov who has achieved nothing at all in his whole life who makes the move to escape the rural sterility causing despair for those left behind.

If all this sounds a tad depressing, this play is written and subsequently translated to be enjoyed for the subtlety of its language. There are laughs throughout and the use of the soliloquy enables us to quickly understand the circumstances of each character.

Language

As you would expect from director Peter Hall, the delivery of the play's language is first rate. This is a good strong cast. Neil Pearson as Astrov looks the part with a dark beard and flowing mane of hair. If I have a criticism of Mark Extance's  Vanya is that he is probably a bit older than he should be. His character says he is 47, but Extance appears older. That's carping though, as a fine performance is given by an actor who has appeared in several Hall productions.

The experienced Ronald Pickup plays Serebraykov with the right degree of senility, yet ultimately the power to break free and change. Michelle Dockery excels as the beautiful yet unobtainable Yelena and Faith Brook captures youthful enthusiasm as Maria only to see it dashed by the futility of their existence.

"Uncle Vanya" has a stark ending and it rather fizzles out as the characters have seen their aspirations die. It is human observation of a high standard and it absolutely captures the tone and feel of Chekov's work at its very best.

Despite the lack of sensational plot and its downbeat message, this production engages and entertains throughout.