Anton Chekov's play brought to life in such topical fashion, but still maintains it's subtle nuances on what was written over a hundred years ago but is reminiscent of today. Comedic elements add to the fray of the opening scenes in Summer in the garden of the Serebryakov estate where Dr Mikhail Astrov (Richard Armitage) has been summoned to check up on Professor Aleksandr Serebryakov (Ciaran Hinds) who has ill health but really doesn't want to see Mikhail, as he finds out he's been gallivanting around the gardens. Cue Uncle Vanya (Toby Stephens) who has tirelessly looked after the estate and brought up his sister's daughter, his niece, Sonya (Aimee Lou Wood). Unrequited love rears its ugly head as she pines for Mikhail who really isn't interested in her, maybe if he'd known how she felt six years ago but not now. He's more interested in Serebryakov's young wife, the stunning Yelena (Rosalind Eleazar). Jokes on age, whilst indulging in some singing, lots of vodka and a vast nod towards climate change and sustainability as Mikhail brings out his charts showing how green the land was and how the trees have made way for buildings. It's progress which you can't argue with but so much green has vanished. Thought hey, could've been a map from The Hobbit here for some reason, ha.
Then there's the professor's wife, so beautiful and yet off limits. Vanya longs for her, as does Mikhail who she does eventually kiss and is found out by Vanya, that wrecks him too but Mikhail can only argue how she creates havoc with her beauty and allurement. Peppered with commentaries from Mikhail of how beautiful she is, but one must be beautiful inside too, in the mind and soul and not just outward beauty. Though that doesn't stop her being coveted. Mikhail wants to stop drinking but can't. Is distraught over losing a patient under chloroform and when he's told there's been an accident at the factory, he lingers preferring a drink before he eventually goes. For an instance you sense he questions his calling but then that doesn't last when Vanya steals his morphine to end it all after he tries to shoot the professor and this backfires. With Mikhail demanding back the bottle before he's found out and struck off. The professor decides to sell the estate and Vanya doesn't want this since he spent all his years here and now has nothing to show for it.
Sonya encourages him to stop this talk and to help her, she will be there for him and they carry on working with the invoices that have piled up as the visitors leave during Autumn. Coming round full circle in a way as their lives will continue in the same way on the estate, gathering hay. Whereas the others will be in the city, the professor and Yelena and as Mikhail returns home to his estate full of trees and greenery.
The cast excel in this timeless production adapted by Conor McPherson and directed by Ian Rickson with Toby Stephens giving a funny and poignant performance as troubled and put upon Vanya who has nothing to show for his life at the estate or for his age of 47. With Richard Armitage showing he's more than capable of delivering a mesmerizing stage performance full of energy and life, including token shirtless moment; making this a must see production.
With the added cast of:
Nana - Anna Calder-Marshall
Grandmaman - Dearbhla Molloy
Telegin - Peter Wight
Uncle Vanya Harold Pinter Theatre until 2 May 2020
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