Uncle Vanya, St James - theatre review: 'Anya Reiss's most successful play yet'

We might not be in Imperial Russia any more but Anya Reiss ensures that the play’s essential ingredients —unrequited love, thwarted ambition, lack of money — remain in play
Uncle Vanya: John Hannah and Amanda Hale
Fiona Mountford16 October 2014

It’s a remarkably smooth transition from a 19th-century Russian country estate to a dilapidated farm in 21st-century Lincolnshire. Evening Standard Award-winning playwright Anya Reiss has produced compelling modern versions of Chekhov’s The Seagull and Three Sisters and now offers the most successful of the lot.

We might not be in Imperial Russia any more but Reiss ensures that the play’s essential ingredients —unrequited love, thwarted ambition, lack of money — remain in play. There’s a fluid dynamic to the writing, which is faithful to Chekhov despite its modernity, and a cherishable sense that lethargy is an infectious disease on this farm, as a peevish professor and his beautiful wife arrive to cause ripples among the formerly stoic inhabitants.

There is a notable ensemble’s worth of performances, including a mercurial Vanya from John Hannah. Amanda Hale makes a fine job of the lovelorn, occasionally gauche Sonya; she has a mesmerising way of ensuring we watch her as she quietly, jealously watches the charismatic, gone-to-seed Astrov (Joe Dixon).

There are many clever touches in Russell Bolam’s production. One hopes he and Reiss unite for the fourth time for The Cherry Orchard.

Until Nov 8 (0844 264 2140, stjamestheatre.co.uk)

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