Uncle Vanya

“Break a leg” are the words usually given to an actor to wish him luck, unfortunately in this case lead actor Nicholas Le Prevost (playing the title role of Vanya )did exactly that immediately prior to the show transferring to Newcastle.

Up step Mark Extance, changing from his normal role of workman to Uncle Vanya (apparently he did this mid performance last Saturday when Le Provost was hurt) and looking as if he was made to play the role. In fact there were times when his looks and approach reminded me of the late great Sir Ralph Richardson ( who I had the pleasure of briefly working with more years ago than I care to remember).

This version of Uncle Vanya is based on a new translation by Stephen Mulrine and is superbly directed by Sir Peter Hall with designs by Alison Chitty. Set in Serebryakovs (Ronald Pickup) country estate in late summer, the characters are beautifully portrayed against an open uncluttered stage.

It is true to say not a lot happens during the four Acts, but the sadness is offset with comedy. But put simply the play is about hope and the fact that hopes can be dashed through no fault of our own, yet life has to go on no matter what.

Neil Pearson is excellent as Astrov, who is driven to drink by overwork and reluctantly admits when questioned that he has no feelings for Sonya (Loo Brealey), but he does for his questioner  Yelena (Michelle Dockery) the young wife of Serebryakov who rebukes him. But as Yelena leaves she passionately kisses Astrov and we understand the sexual frustration she is suffering by being married to the elderly ailing academic.

It is doubtful if you will find a better version of this play, and full credit to the company for replacing their leading man so seamlessly and with such speed.

This is a first class production that should not be missed.

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