The Timothy Dalton Chat Group
A Review of Uncle Vanya by Debra Best

 

This was taken by from a BBC Transcription I did try to obtain a copy of Uncle Vanya from the BBC in London but I was unsuccessful.

Mention the name Cheknov and people think of characters languishing in the prvinces, complaining that nothing ever happens - but in Uncle Vanya there are three cases of thwarted love, a murder attempt, and a threatened suicide. Written in 1899, Uncle Vanya is set in the country house of the emininent scholar Professor Serebryakov. The Professor returns to his house with his beautiful young second wife Yelena. The house is managed by Serebryakov's daughter Sonya, and his first wife's brother, Vanya. The frustrated Uncle Vanya is immediately attracted by his elegant, bored Yelena. Yelena is more interested in the sensitive doctor Astrov, who (without his realising it) is adored by Sonya. Meanwhile the Professor has decided to sell the estate.

The Cast