Adapted by Annie Baker from a literal translation by Margarita Shalina, Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre presents a colloquial version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya in an Australian premiere season from 18 November 2016.
The countryside. Lust, boredom and life. In this fresh translation of her favourite play, Annie Baker employs her famed attention to detail and understanding of the idiosyncrasies of human behaviour to breathe new life into Vanya, Astrov, Sonya, Yelena, Serebryakov and company’s ceaseless and familiar pursuit of happiness.
Professor Serebryakov and his much younger second wife, Yelena have arrived at the rural estate owned by his first wife for an indefinite stay. This has thrown the normally quiet estate’s occupants into chaos. Vanya and his friend Dr. Astrov vie for the attention of the beautiful Yelena, while Sonya quietly yearns for the doctor.
With sparkling humor and unflinching humanity, Chekhov spins a playful yarn around thwarted hopes and misplaced dreams as a warm reminder that ‘it is always in season for old men to learn’ and that ‘Coming of Age’ is not just for the young – merely the young at heart.
Annie Baker is an award-winning American playwright. Her plays include: Body Awareness, Circle Mirror Transformations, and The Aliens. Her play The Flick won the 2013 Obie Award for Playwriting, and the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Nadia Tass directed a critically acclaimed production for Red Stitch in 2014 (with a sold out return season in 2015), after directing Baker’s The Aliens for Red Stitch in 2011. The Australian premiere of Baker’s newest play features ensemble member and former Artistic Director, David Whiteley in the title role.
“Annie Baker’s colloquial version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya is more than a modern-dress treatment of a classic work. It’s a fresh rethinking of the material from the perspective of a modern mind.” – Variety
Director: Nadia Tass Featuring: Rosie Lockhart, Olga Makeeva, Ben Prendergast, Eva Seymour, David Whiteley, Justin Hosking, Kristof Kaczmarek, Marta Kaczmarek Set and Costume: Sophie Woodward Lighting: David Parker Composition and Sound: Daniel Nixon Production Manager: Sara Grayson Stage Manager: Hannah Bullen Assistant Stage Manager: Arthur Giamalidis Assistant Lighting: Clare Springett
Uncle Vanya
Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, St. Kilda East
Season: 18 November – 17 December 2016 (previews: 15 – 17 November)
Information and Bookings: www.redstitch.net
Image: Olga Makeeva and David Whiteley feature in Uncle Vanya (supplied)