Uncle Vanya
I was so excited about the opening of the Rose that I didn't get round to writing about the performance on Wednesday.
Back in the 60s I worked my way through Chekhov. His plays seemed full of long. depressing speeches, with little action. Even seeing Lawrence Olivier as Vanya did not change my opinion, although at the time I was into existential angst and was morbidly impressed.
But Peter Hall showed us just why he is regarded by actors as one of the very best directors. He has a way of helping them to extract significance from every word of the script. This production sparkled all the way through. It was never boring and the long speeches seemed natural and engaging.
Neil Pearson was superb as the doctor, who is the catalyst for much of the dramatic development. I was not the only person to notice his remarkable resemblance to a former Leader of the Council, who was a key figure in making this theatre happen. Roger Hayes rather enjoyed being told this during the interval, I think.
Nicholas Le Prevost gave us a shambolic Vanya (that's meant as praise for his characterisation, not criticism of his acting) who engaged our sympathy in spite of his faults.
All the other characters were well-drawn and convincing.
I also loved the choreography of the scene changes when furniture and props were unhurriedly moved into place by the characters.
Altogether this is a highly enjoyable production and well worth seeing for its own sake. However, the opportunity to see it in this unique space makes it a magical experience.
Back in the 60s I worked my way through Chekhov. His plays seemed full of long. depressing speeches, with little action. Even seeing Lawrence Olivier as Vanya did not change my opinion, although at the time I was into existential angst and was morbidly impressed.
But Peter Hall showed us just why he is regarded by actors as one of the very best directors. He has a way of helping them to extract significance from every word of the script. This production sparkled all the way through. It was never boring and the long speeches seemed natural and engaging.
Neil Pearson was superb as the doctor, who is the catalyst for much of the dramatic development. I was not the only person to notice his remarkable resemblance to a former Leader of the Council, who was a key figure in making this theatre happen. Roger Hayes rather enjoyed being told this during the interval, I think.
Nicholas Le Prevost gave us a shambolic Vanya (that's meant as praise for his characterisation, not criticism of his acting) who engaged our sympathy in spite of his faults.
All the other characters were well-drawn and convincing.
I also loved the choreography of the scene changes when furniture and props were unhurriedly moved into place by the characters.
Altogether this is a highly enjoyable production and well worth seeing for its own sake. However, the opportunity to see it in this unique space makes it a magical experience.
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