Brighton audiences will be the first in the UK to see the Maly Drama Theatre of St Petersburgs version of this Chekhov classic.

Under the artistic control of legendary director Lev Dodin, the Russian company have become one if the most revered and respected in the world and this bitter masterpiece perfectly showcases their talents.

A tale of wasted lives and unfulfilled relationships, Uncle Vanya traces the disillusion of a professor as he retires to his estate and encounters characters enduring existences as listless as his own.

Sexual tensions rock the group gathered round the pompous, grumpy professor and temperatures rise to produce a gripping climax.

Dodins production revels unashamedly in the true Russian spirit of the play and is performed in Russian with English surtitles.

The company was founded in Leningrad in 1944, initially without anywhere to stage their plays, but since coming under Dodins direction they have earned wide international acclaim.

Their performances have won awards worldwide and they are regularly invited to perform at the most prestigious theatrical festivals. They last came to Brighton in 1997.

Starts 7.30pm. £22.50, £15.