If Chekhov has a bad reputation in some quarters, it's because his work is frequently revered to the point where every line, every word, every syllable comes ponderously pre-loaded with significance.
Happily, English Touring Theatre's Uncle Vanya avoids that trap - although in doing so it stumbles into one or two others.
Under the direction of Sir Peter Hall, Chekhov's tragicomic masterpiece moves along at a commendably breezy pace - so breezily, in fact, that the characters don't always seem to have had time to think up the words they're saying.
Furthermore, while it's right Hall should mine Chekhov's rich seam of comedy, the full depth of the tragedy is sometimes neglected.
This is especially evident in the third act, where Vanya (Nicholas LePrevost) explodes with years of suppressed resentment at his smug, pompous brother-in-law (Ronald Pickup). The bitter laughs are there in abundance, yet I wasn't convinced this Vanya was truly grieving for his wasted life.
Still, there's much to commend this enjoyable production, not least Neil Pearson's Astrov and, as his unrequited admirer Sonya, the revelatory Loo Brealey, seeking through smiles and nervous energy to hide an all-too-credible sense of heartbreak.
- Until March 1, call 0870 0606650
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