Arcola Theatre presents a brand-new production of Chekhov's masterpiece, UNCLE VANYA, in a new version by Helena Kaut-Howson and Jon Strickland, for a limited five-week season from 27 April to 4 June 2011.
When a celebrated retired academic and his beautiful young wife return to their country estate the humdrum lives of everyone around them are turned upside down in this poignant, tragicomic story of disillusionment and misplaced love, thwarted passion and enduring hope.
UNCLE VANYA will be directed by the internationally-acclaimed Helena Kaut-Howson who is known for her sensuous and innovative treatment of classical drama.
In translating and preparing this new version, Kaut-Howson and Strickland have sought to look at Chekhov's drama afresh, avoiding the theatrical conventions accrued through the years, the stamp of naturalism imposed on it by the Moscow Art Theatre as well as certain traits of the long-established tradition of 'British Chekhov'. Both the adaptation and production, though faithful to the dialogue and tone of the original, are in fact a free interpretation of the play, especially in the treatment of its style.
The production is designed by Sophie Jump, with lighting by Alex Wardle, sound by Paul Bull and features original music by Polish composer Boleslaw Rawski. The cast is: Paul Bigley, Simon Gregor, Tricia Kelly, Marianne Oldham, Ellen Sheean, Jon Strickland, Geoffrey Whitehead and Hara Yanna.
Polish-born Helena Kaut-Howson has worked extensively in Europe, Canada and the UK and was Artistic Director of Theatr Clwyd from 1992 - 1995. She has directed several acclaimed and award winning productions for Manchester Royal Exchange, Opera North and major regional theatres as well in London. Uncle Vanya will be Helena's third production for Arcola after Yerma and Innocence, the former with Kathryn Hunter with whom she has a long history of collaboration, memorably on King Lear, and more recently on A Tender Thing for the RSC.
