Uncle Vanya: Daniel Henshall Leads a Powerful Melbourne Theatre Production.

Uncle Vanya – Review by Jake Freeman

A true testament to the timelessness of theatre is when great plays never “grow old”. Reproduced time and time again, they continue to leave audiences spellbound, emotionally engaged and, to some extent, emotionally drained. Uncle Vanya is one such classic.

Uncle Vanya is written by Russian-born playwright Anton Chekhov, widely considered one of the greatest writers of all time. Along with Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, Chekhov is often referred to as one of the three seminal figures in the birth of early modern theatre. A physician by profession, he famously once said that “medicine is my lawful wife and literature is my mistress.”

Born in Taganrog, Russia, to the son of a former serf, Chekhov supported his impoverished family by writing humorous comic sketches under pseudonyms while studying medicine. He became renowned for blending tragedy and comedy with remarkable subtlety.

Uncle Vanya was first published in 1897 and premiered in 1899 by the Moscow Art Theatre. Since then, it has been translated and performed around the world, receiving the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award and numerous nominations along the way. Many celebrated actors have appeared in adaptations of the play, ranging from Australian performers Jacki Weaver, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving to Hollywood stars Steve Carell and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The play is set on a country estate in Russia during the late 1890s and follows the interactions of its inhabitants over the course of several days. The central character is Vanya, a middle-aged man who has spent his life managing the estate for his brother-in-law, Serebryakov. When Serebryakov and his young wife, Yelena, visit the estate, Vanya’s long-simmering frustrations and unrequited love for Yelena finally boil over. The story explores themes of regret, longing and the passage of time.

Uncle Vanya cast review

Breathing new life into Chekhov’s tragicomedy is award-winning Australian playwright and novelist Joanna Murray-Smith. Some of Joanna’s best-known works include Julia, the acclaimed one-woman drama about Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.

Daniel Henshall and Catherine Van-Davies – Uncle Vanya Photo by Jo Duck

The cast of Uncle Vanya delivered an incredible performance. All eight actors made their presence felt. Leading the way is Philippa Northeast as Sonya, who steals every scene she’s in. I was particularly impressed with her performance, especially considering the sheer volume of dialogue she had to master and the emotional energy she invested in the role. Philippa makes you feel as though you are experiencing the journey alongside her and delivers some of the production’s most poignant moments.

Daniel Henshall in Uncle Vanya

The same can be said for Daniel Henshall as Vanya, the brooding protagonist who realises he has spent his life running a rural estate for a man he now despises. Shaun Micallef, as Professor Serebryakov, provides some much-needed comic relief while remaining completely believable in the role.

One of the unique aspects of this production is its set design. Under the direction of Dann Barber, the curtains were removed and the stage’s sides exposed, revealing the wings where the crew stood in readiness alongside the actors. During Act I, nine slender white-trunked trees stretched across the width of the stage, glowing warmly in shades of gold and rust to represent the vibrant transition into autumn. Leaves were scattered across the stage floor, creating a striking and beautiful backdrop. During Act II, the scene seamlessly transformed into the interior of a 19th-century Russian manor.

Upon entering the theatre, I was concerned that this production might follow a similar path to other classic works I have seen that have been modernised or altered purely for contemporary audiences. Fortunately, this was not the case. The production remained faithful to Chekhov’s original play without introducing any major unnecessary changes, although I was somewhat put off by the frequent use of coarse language throughout.

Uncle Vanya is an extraordinary and deeply affecting play. While it may not appeal to everyone, almost every audience member will recognise its central theme: the profound regret of a life left unfulfilled and the struggle to find meaning amid ordinary existence and boredom.

While the language has been modernised to resonate more deeply with contemporary audiences, it remains, at times, unnecessarily coarse. However, the period setting is meticulously preserved and remains faithful and respectful to Chekhov’s original vision and humour without compromise.

Uncle Vanya is directed by Anne-Louise Sarks, written by Anton Chekhov and adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith. It stars Daniel Henshall as Uncle Vanya, Catherine Văn-Davies as Yelena, Shaun Micallef as Serebryakov, Fayssal Bazzi as Astrov, Philippa Northeast as Sonya, Carolyn Bock as Maryia, Don Bridges as Telyeghin and Evelyn Krape as Nanny.

Uncle Vanya is now playing for a limited season until Saturday, 22 August, at The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, just a short walk from Flinders Street Station.

The production runs for approximately two hours and 20 minutes, including an interval. It contains frequent coarse language, sexual content, adult themes and some violence and is recommended for mature audiences.