Review: UNCLE VANYA, Orange Tree Theatre
Manuel Harlan
Trevor Nunn’s Uncle Vanya is a rather traditional and clear telling of Chekhov’s classic story about the thankless monotonous daily lives of Uncle Vanya and co on a Russian estate; as they yearn to find more in their lives, through the hope of love and desire, and when those routes seem impossible, duty.
The cast are strong, with particularly excellent performances from the heart-breaking Madeleine Grey as Sonya and sardonically sharp James Lance as Uncle Vanya. Susan Tracy as Maria steals all eyes when on stage with nuanced detailed reactions as Vanya’s passionate and somewhat neurotic elderly mother. The quiet tragedy of unrequited, hopeless love comes out as a strong theme in Nunn’s Uncle Vanya.
Simon Daw’s effective set features subtle details such as grass poking through the floor in the garden with metal chairs, a table featuring a samovar and quaint glasses for tea and vodka, all setting the scene for the provincial Russian estate. The naturalistic set Is used effectively in the round and is paired delicately with sound design by Max Pappenheim with subtle background buzzing of crickets and a constant ticking clock that in moments of silence is a reminder of the monotony of the characters’ lives which they continuously complain about.
The performances are strongest when the actors forgo the restrains of their English temperaments, and lean into the passionate short tongued nature of the Russian spirit; which we see effectively done by James Lance particularly in the final act when Vanya’s inhibitions are all set ablaze by shocking news regarding the fate of the estate. Madeleine Grey perfectly paces Sonya’s final monologue pricking the hearts of the audience.
Although refreshing to see a Chekhov which is focused on telling the story through a focus on performances as opposed to flashy concepts, Nunn’s Uncle Vanya feels too safe and doesn’t offer any particularly memorable or transformative interpretations. Though Nunn’s Uncle Vanya fails to reach much depth, it is a consistent and enjoyable production that tells the story effectively to its audiences.
**** Four Stars
Reviewed by Viv Williams
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