Sydney Theatre Company and Goldman Sachs JBWere in association with Bell Shakespeare present

Uncle Vanya

by Anton Chekhov, in a new adaptation by Andrew Upton

On a dilapidated, remote farm Uncle Vanya and his niece Sonya have worked slavishly to sustain an estate in decline. And so it has been for years.

Now Professor Serebryakov and his beautiful young wife, Yelena, have returned to visit. Adding to the chaos and disruption are the constant visits of the charismatic Astrov. Lunch is no longer served at lunch time - now it is procrastinated until dusk - work is forgotten and the long, cool nights have become sleepless.

From this hotbed of disarray grow three consuming love affairs, each of which is destined to wither in disappointment before it has reached bloom.

It is in this climate of frustration and hopelessness that the Professor chooses to unveil his shocking plan to sell the estate. Faced with an uncertain future, Vanya is provoked into an act of violence which is as humiliatingly unsuccessful as his attempts at romance.

Gliding effortlessly between comedy and tragedy, this treasured classic from Anton Chekhov lays bare the fruitlessness of human endeavour with exceptional warmth, humour and insight.

2 Hours 45 Minutes, Including Interval

Photos: Derek Henderson