Theatre Review: Uncle Vanya

The Play: Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith

The Company: Melbourne Theatre Company

The Space: The Playhouse at the Arts Centre

Runtime: Two hours 15 minutes

Until 22 August

Stars: 4

Uncle Vanya is a favourite play of mine. I know I'm not a fan of Russian literature - but Uncle Vanya is the bomb.

I saw Derek Jacobi in the title role in London in the 90s. Andrew Scott made it a one-man show in London three years ago, which I enjoyed immensely. And of course there's the 1994 film version, Vanya on 42nd Street, which you can view on Youtube. Adapted by David Mamet, directed by Louis Malle and having Wallace Shawn, Julianne Moore and Brooke Smith in the cast (among others) it's amazing, and well worth the watch. 

This version of Uncle Vanya has been adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith, one of Australia's leading playwrights. Nothing has changed other than some of the language has been updated from a more staid version, to adding bits of Australian vernacular - and it is great. It's one of the good things about working in translation. 

The story doesn't change, the themes staying as universal as ever. Familial duty, unrequited love, family dynamics. Vanya (Daniel Henshall) and his niece Sonya (Philippa Northeast) live on the family farm with their mother (Carolyn Bock). When Vanya's brother Serebryakov (Sean Micallef) and his beautiful young wife Yelena (Catherine Van-Davies) come, all hell breaks loose. Along with a regular visitor, Dr Astrov (Fayssal Bazzi), Vanya is in love from afar with Yelena. Sonya, plain and proud, is in love with the doctor. And Nanny (Evelyn Krape) and indentured servant Telyeghin (Don Bridges) are there to keeps some order and provide a little comic relief. 

A couple of days on, I'm still thinking about this. It's a solid production. Joanna Murray Smith's tweaks have made it even more approachable. I like this odd Australianism in the dialogue. 

My only reservation with this was a little bit of overacting but considering we saw it very early in the season, these blips will be ironed out. Anne-Louise Sarks direction is sound - and the set, which uses all of the Playhouse stage, is something to behold. The stagehands deserved their applause at the end as well - they are busy during this performance. 

In all, this is worth seeing. Not everybody is going to love this play like I do (and I still recommend watching Vanya on 42nd Street - it's a great movie) but the MTC have done another sterling job with this. 

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