Anna Friel has been confirmed to play Yelena, the pretty young wife of the wealthy retired University professor at the centre of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. Opening at the Vaudeville Theatre on Thursday the 26th October 2012 and running throughout Christmas until the 16th February 2012, Uncle Vanya looks set to be the classic adaptation of the year.
Anton Chekhov completed Uncle Vanya in 1897 and produced the show for its Moscow debut at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1899. It’s influence lives on today and the production at the Vaudeville Theatre is a great reiteration of the writer’s storytelling legacy.
The play follows Professor Serebryakov’s and his young and pretty wife Elena (Friel) as they return to their country estate where the Professor plans to announce the sale of the land, leaving his daughter Sonya (Laura Carmichael – Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy) and her Uncle Vanya (played by Ken Stott), who tend the estate, without their beloved home.
The visit sparks love lorn advances, regrets and a general exposition of the roller-coaster that is human condition. With Checkhov’s unique dramatisation and comedy the play is far from being formulaic with more questions than answers.
Adapted by Christopher Hampton and directed by Lindsay Posner, with designs by Christopher Oram, this new production of Uncle Vanya at the Vaudeville Theatre has got a lot of potential. Tickets start at £25 and their are a limited number of day seats available for £10.
Uncle Vanya tickets are available with up to £14 off from Ticketmaster at the moment.
Performances of Uncle Vanya run from Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinees on Thursday & Saturday at 2.30pm – running time is 2 hours 20 minutes, including the interval.
Uncle Vanya Christmas performances:
17th Dec (eve)
18th Dec (mat & eve)
19th Dec (eve)
20th Dec (mat & eve)
21st Dec (eve)
22th Dec (mat & eve)
26th Dec (eve)
27th Dec (mat & eve)
28th Dec (mat & eve)
29th Dec (mat & eve)
31st Dec (mat)
2nd Jan (mat & eve)
3rd Jan (mat & eve)
4th Jan (eve)
5th Jan (mat & eve)
