Uncle Vanya REVIEW 25 July 2026 ***1/2

THEATRE

By Anton Chekhov, adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith, Melbourne Theatre Company

At Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, until 22 Aug 2026

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: ***1/2 (3.5)

This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly, 3MBS, Sat 1 Aug 2026. KH

Catherine Van-Davies, Evelyn Krape, Fayssal Bazzi, Philippa Northeast, Daniel Henshall, Don Bridges, Shaun Micallef_Pic Pia Johnson

Joanna Murray-Smith says she feels an affinity with Anton Chekhov because they both write about the middle class and their woes. Her contemporary adaptation of Uncle Vanya is witty, brisk and peppered with expletives, particularly, but not exclusively, from the perpetually aggrieved Vanya.

With deft, fluid direction by Anne-Louise Sarks, this production combines strong performances with Dan Barber’s captivating stage design, which evokes the falling leaves and faded disorder of the country estate. Surprisingly, the backstage area is exposed, a Brechtian device more commonly associated with theatrical alienation than Chekhovian naturalism.

The comedy is effective, but there is an imbalance between humour and the pathos that characterises Chekhov. Murray-Smith’s version has less of the languor, ennui and existential inertia intrinsic to the original characters, who are trapped in lives they find increasingly unbearable.

Daniel Henshall’s Vanya is suitably lethargic, depressed, cynical and peevish, particularly about having devoted his life, work and youth to his ungrateful, entitled brother-in-law, Serebryakov, known as the Professor (Shaun Micallef). At moments, Henshall resembles a deflating balloon, with his drooping shoulders and sagging knees. Vanya’s obsession with and adoration of Yelena is embarrassing for both of them and seems a wildly inappropriate and ineffective way to fill the sluggish time and soothe his rage against her husband.

Fayssal Bazzi is a charming, sensual Dr Astrov, entirely credible as the love interest of both Yelena and Sonya. Catherine Văn-Davies’ Yelena is privileged and entitled, expecting to be waited upon and adored from afar despite her claims to understand the work and suffering of ordinary people. However, she is more annoyed and stroppy than bored senseless, lacking the listlessness, languor and lethargy we associate with Chekhov.

Evelyn Krape’s Nanny is hilarious, stolid and reliable, sitting smoking her pipe and waiting patiently for the disruption caused by the Professor’s visit to end. Don Bridges is delightfully daffy as Telyeghin, the beleaguered servant.

Philippa Northeast plays Sonya as fiery and naïve rather than the stolid farm girl who suddenly transforms into a gushing adolescent when confessing her infatuation with Astrov. The balance between these contrasting sides is not quite convincing.

Shaun Micallef’s Serebryakov seems focused on the obvious comedy, missing some of the character’s subtler nuances.

Chekhov traditionalists may resist this interpretation, but Murray-Smith and Sarks have created an entertaining, fresh and novel approach to Uncle Vanya.

By Kate Herbert 

Cast

Fayssal Bazzi – Dr Astrov

Carolyn Bock – Maryia

Don Bridges – Telyeghin

Daniel Henshall - Vanya

Evelyn Krape - Nanny

Philippa Northeast – Sonya

Shaun Micallef – Serebryakov

Catherine Văn-Davies - Yelena

 

Creative Team

Directed by Anne-Louise Sarks

Dann Barber (Set & Costume Designer)

Paul Jackson (Lighting Designer)

Grace Ferguson and Joe Paradise Lui (Co-Composers & Sound Designers)

Amy Hume (Voice & Text Coach)