Vanya at Gate Theatre

Vanya at Gate Theatre

03 September, 2009
by: Gemma Bergomi

Staring at a huge wooden crate on stage, I am initially a bit worried about the latest adaptation of Anton Chekov's Uncle Vanya at the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill. The possibility that Sam Holcroft's re-writing might have turned the Russian playwright's classic tragicomedy into a dodgy fringe production looms at the back of my mind, however, as soon as the box is dismantled and the show begins I am quickly reassured otherwise.

Stripping away many of the characters of the original, Vanya focuses on four characters; an old man named Vanya, Sonya (his niece), Yelena (Sonya's step-mother) and Astrov (the local doctor that helps Yelena care for her sick husband). The play begins and ends with Vanya and Sonya, and charts a short period in which they suffer from unrequited love at the hands of Yelena and Astrov.

Each of the characters is excellently performed and Holcroft does a great job in making them as aggravating as they are likable, particularly the star of the show Robert Hoodale as Vanya who is initially a bit of a joke – a stereotypical lazy drunk. But, as the show progresses so does Vanya, becoming all-knowing in a confident yet humble manner as he transforms from a trampy uncle into a man that understands others as well as he understands himself.

The nearest thing to a villain in Vanya comes in the form of Simon Wilson as Astrov, the doctor with grand morals and a handful of good intentions. His ironic disregard for the feelings of others – particularly Sonya – and his pompous self-pity make him ideal hate figure. Vanya's dissection of the cracks in Astrov's ideas, are particularly enjoyable and leave the doctor fairly stewing. Seeing this man, who the women hero worship, brought down a peg or two leaves a slight cheer in the heart.

Vanya's coy niece Sonya, played by Fiona Button, is hilarious as a girl fully love struck over Astrov. Although the doctor at first holds power over her as he preaches about self-sacrifice, Sonya later triumphs by bonding with her broken-hearted uncle in an incredibly moving scene. There are also some touching moments between Sonya and her stepmother Yelena, played by Susie Trayling, as they share their relationship experiences (or lack of). What's more, Yelena's contemplation of that never ending battle between beauty and true character is the source of one of the best speeches of the play.

On a design note, Tom Scutt's idea of the revolving, unfolding box for a stage is genius, making the small space by turns claustrophobic when it needs to be, then spacious as it magically unravels and changes from one scene to the next.

Superbly cast, written, directed, and staged Vanya is a top show and proves once more how adaptable Chekov’s original is. 

Check out Theatre In London
Check out Things To Do In London

Gemma Bergomi