Inna purchased tickets to Berkeley Rep's new production of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. We were pleasantly surprised by the production on our first visit to Berkeley Rep in a long time. Berkeley itself was also cleaner than when I last visited.
We really enjoyed this dramatic performance, and Hugh Bonneville's acting was excellent (as expected).
Background summary (AI-assisted)
Plot and ending (spoilers): Vanya and his niece Sonya have spent years managing a rural estate to support Professor Serebryakov. The professor returns with his young wife, Yelena, stirring up old disappointments and new desires. Vanya is infatuated with Yelena, while Sonya loves the doctor, Astrov, who does not return her feelings. The professor's plan to sell the estate leads to an angry confrontation. After he and Yelena leave, Vanya and Sonya resume their work. In the final scene, Sonya urges endurance and holds out the hope of eventual rest.
Uncle Vanya Review
Highlights
- Excellent acting by everyone (and especially Hugh Bonneville)
- A plot with many layers
Lowlights
- The set was a bit Spartan
BY ANTON CHEKHOV
ADAPTED BY CONOR MCPHERSON
DIRECTED BY SIMON GODWIN
A CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY
PEET’S THEATRE
Production information
Runtime: Two hours and 30 minutes including one 15-minute intermission
Stage effects advisory: Haze, flashing lights, gunshots, and glass-breaking
Content advisory: Violence and gunshots
Cast
(in order of appearance)Kina Kantor | Ensemble
Nancy Robinette | Marína Timoféevna
John Benjamin Hickey | Mikhaíl Ástrov
Sharon Lockwood | Maríya Voinítsky
Hugh Bonneville | Iván Voinítsky
Tom Nelis | Aleksándr Serébryakov
Craig Wallace | Ílya Ílyich Telégin
Melanie Field | Sófya Aleksándrovna
Ito Aghayere | Eléna Andréevna
Understudies
Anne Darragh | Maríya Voinítsky, Marína Timoféevna
Kina Kantor | Eléna Andréevna, Sófya Aleksándrovna
James Whalen | Iván Voinítsky, Mikhaíl Ástrov, Ensemble
John Leslie Wolfe | Aleksándr Serébryakov, Ílya Ílyich Telégin
Creative team
Anton Chekhov | Playwright
Conor McPherson | Adaptor
Simon Godwin | Director
Robert Brill | Scenic Design
Susan Hilferty | Co-Costume Design
Heather C. Freedman | Co-Costume Design
Jen Shriever | Lighting Design
Darron L. West | Sound Design
Satellite Wigs, Inc. | Wig Design
Danielle O’Dea | Fight and Intimacy Consultant
Danica Rodriguez | Casting
Karina Fox | Casting
Elisa Guthertz | Stage Manager
Christina Hogan | Assistant Stage Manager
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