Uncle Vanya
Don’t miss this brilliant Shakespeare Theatre Company production.
Uncle Vanya is a play by the Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov. It was first published in 1897, and first produced in 1899 by the Moscow Art Theatre. I don’t know what the reviews were back then, but this is a great production, co-produced with the Berkeley Rep, adapted by Conor McPherson, and directed by the brilliant Simon Godwin. It once again shows why the Shakespeare Theatre Company was so fortunate when Simon Godwin agreed to serve as their Artistic Director, after the retirement of the legendary Michael Kahn.
Simon says about this production, “It has been an absolute pleasure and a true collaboration working with Hugh and this stellar ensemble. Everyone has brought such nuance and humanity to their performances, and our run in Berkeley has been a joy. I can’t wait to see how the show transforms when we present it in Harman Hall, staged with a three-quarter thrust to bring the audience into the action of the show.” I can tell you now it works incredibly well.
The play portrays the visit of an elderly professor and his glamorous, much younger second wife, Yelena, to the rural estate that supports their urban lifestyle. Two friends, Vanya, brother of the professor's late first wife, who has long managed the estate, and Astrov, the local doctor, both fall under Yelena's spell while bemoaning their lonely provincial existence. Sonya, the professor's daughter by his first wife, who has worked with Vanya to keep the estate going, suffers from her unrequited love for Astrov. Matters are brought to a crisis when the professor announces his intention to sell the estate, Vanya and Sonya's home, with a view to investing the proceeds to achieve a higher income for himself and his wife. Living with Vanya and Sonya are Vanya’s mother, grandmamam; Nana, a nursemaid to the family; and Ilya, who is lodging with the family.
Let me begin by giving raves to the actors who are all incredible. The first scene is highlighted with the wonderfully talented Nancy Robinette, as Nana, and her humorous exchange with Astrov, John Benjamin Hickey, who totally commands the stage. They have you laughing out loud. Then waking up from sleep, having been rolled up in what seemed to be a carpet in the middle of the stage, is Vanya, Hugh Bonneville. He is a joy to watch on stage and even manages some great slapstick comedy. Those of you who only know him from Downton Abbey, will be amazed at his range and acting chops here. Then there is Sonya, Melanie Field, who makes you feel her unrequited love for Astrov, as she keeps the whole family going. Then the lodger, Ilya Ilyich, Craig Wallace, who is wonderful, and makes you listen to each word he speaks, and you even sense him when he is just sitting in the background.
As the play moves on we are introduced to the Professor, the talented Tom Nelis, and his young wife, the beautiful Yelena, Ito Aghayere. She is perfect. At times both sultry or just the backstabbing friend. Then there is Grandmamam, Sharon Lockwood, who goes back and forth, first defending and being the aide to the professor, and then being the mother to Vanya. She does both perfectly. They all make you see this as a story between change, and the futility of life as it is. The vodka flows freely to make life bearable.
Then there is the wonderful creative team, each superb in what they do, which adds immeasurably to this production. It includes Robert Brill (Scenic Design), Susan Hilferty (Co-Costume Design), Heather Freedman (Co-Costume Design), Jen Shriever (Lighting Design), Darron West (Sound Design), Elisa Guthertz (Stage Manager), Leigh Robinette (Assistant Stage Manager), and Trinity Wicklund (Production Assistant).
Uncle Vanya will be at Harman Hall through April 20th. Tickets are available online. This brilliant production is not to be missed.
