If I had only seen one thing at the Sydney Festival, the Maly Drama Theatre of St Petersburg’s production of the classic Anton Chekhov play ‘Uncle Vanya’ would have been the one I would have chosen to see. This was quite simply a magnificent production.
‘Uncle Vanya’ tells the story of Professor Serebryakov and his young wife Elena who arrive at the family’s remote country estate. The estate has been looked after by Sonya, the Professor’s daughter from his first marriage, and her Uncle Vanya. The visit of the Professor and his wife send
the estate into chaos of lost time and impossible loves.
Lev Dodin’s production does full justice to Chekhov’s wonderful play. He doesn’t miss a beat, there’s plenty of nice touches, the play moves beautifully, the themes are well brought out,and the cast give strong performances. The big scenes, this is a play with many, are played out beautifully. and the ending is eloquently realised.
The cast move about Nikolai Murmanov’s effective set well. The actors enjoyed the large stage space to move around in. The setting was the living room of the Professor’s country house. One of the ‘keys’ to the set was a large french window at the back of the stage which leant plenty of atmosphere to the play. At one time we can and see rain falling outside through it. During the course of the play some of the characters would take time out by the window as things got tough emotionally.
Planted above the living room setting, on timber beams, were two huge haystacks, indicative of the work being carried out on the estate. Poignantly, at the play’s end, these haystacks perch themselves on stage. The drama has passed, and daily work life is to return.
The pick of the performances …Igor Serebryakov’s Professor Serebryakov was something of a monster. He cuts an arch, stern, humourless, imposing, egocentric figure who creates so much tension for the family. Ksenia Rappoport’s Elena gives a poised performance as the femme fatale figure, trapped in a marriage to the much older Professor. Rappoport conveyed well her characters struggle with her life situation.
Elena Kalinina’s nails it as the sensitive, plain, dutiful Sonya , the backbone of the family. Sergey Kuryshev gave a strong performance as Uncle Vanya. His Uncle Vanya captured a man in mid-life crisis, in emotional turmoil and full of regret.
Peter Semak’s Dr Astrov was a new age man; eloquent,good natured, dreamy, a bit grandiose in his gestures, and smitten with Elena.
Maly Drama Theatre of St Petersburg’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ was pretty much a perfect night in the theatre.
