Uncle Vanya at the Belgrade Theatre

[dutchman]

Uncle Vanya - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until April 23. Running time 2hrs 45mins.



The sleepy lives of countryfolk get a rude alarm call when their high-flying, money-loving, cosmopolitan city relatives turn up to stay.

It’s a cultural shock all round as the professor and his beautiful young wife pine for the whirlwind delights of society life as they try to settle into the slow, slow pace of everyday rural life.

Marianne Oldham in particular is the perfect picture of languished boredom as the beautiful Yelena. She effortless turns the heads of every man around as they suddenly realise they are missing out on love and life.

Geoffrey Whitehead as her husband presents a benign tyrant used to getting his own way and taking his young wife for granted. But it is the countryfolk who suffer the most upheaval in this new version of the Chekhov classic directed by Helena Kaut-Howson and co-adapted with Jon Strickland, who also plays the title role.

There are some wonderfully understated and touching performances from Strickland himself to Simon Gregor as the eco-friendly Doctor Astrov while Tricia Kelly almost steals the show as the faithful, practical Nyanya who keeps the household running.

But there are some jarring notes with Hara Yannas not really convincing as neglected daughter Sonya nursing a secret crush.

Amid such an experienced cast, her infatuation rings a little false at times and it is hard to feel sorry for the character battling to find some little bit of happiness.

Rating * * *

Telegraph review by Marion McMullen