Posted 08 March 2008 - 07:37 PM
My wife and I saw the show on its visit to Brighton last week, and it made a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon. It's a much breezier reading than I'm used to, epitomised by le Prevost's histrionic Vanya, who's hard to take seriously as tragic hero, but is very affecting. There were many unexpected laughs. Neil Pearson as the Doctor gives a solid and believable version of a man in whom the fires of idealism are burning low after his provincial discouragements: although the flirtation with Yelena doesn't quite work. Dockery is exquisite-looking - she must have a 21-inch waist, my wife said - and makes her character unusually sympathetic, but she lacks the fatal allure of a Cherie Lunghi or a Helen Mcrory. Pickup's Serebriakov, human in his vanity, is a return to form for the actor after some less-than-sparkling performances over the past few years. The spare set is more than compensated for by fine, detailed costume and furniture (which is endlessly re-arranged in some ponderous scene-changes). There are no notable weaknesses elsewhere: audience reaction was overwhelmingly positive - three curtain calls. Someone mentioned afterwards there's a possibility of the production coming to London - the Duke of York's perhaps - and it would have a justified place there.
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