Vanya – after Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov. Adapted by Simon Stephens. The Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London to 21 October 2023.

4****: William Russell.

No denying that Andrew Scott delivers a truly amazing performance, or rather collection of performances, in this version of Uncle Vanya in which he plays all eight characters male and female with a little help from some props and a door he can use to leave through as one person and return as another or the other way round. But it does get confusing at times – the play is complicated enough with its disappointments and love affairs and a read through before going to this reshaped version is recommended. What you get then is a feat of memory, there being no one to play against should you forget a line, in which the essence of the original play comes over enhanced with a sense of wonder that he has mastered all those words and performs without an interval. His stage credentials are impressive enough although his box office clout probably relies largely on playing that sexy priest in Fleabag. Expect that to be changed for good and the Duke of Yorks theatre boix office to be besieged - deservedly so. He creates an amazing rapport with the audience. Watching a play one can be swept into the lives of stage but one is always a spectator, here, as he switches from one to the other, from Vanya to Sonia you share in what he is doing – it is breathtaking, dangerous and really not to be missed. The set is a splendid clutter of bits and pieces not the usual birch forests and wooden dacha walls and odd though they seem come into their own as the play progresses – they are there for a reason. It is a one man show but also a stunning collaboration with the director Yates and designer Vize.

Cast

Andrew Scott – everybody

Creatives

Director – Simon Yates.

Designer – Roasanne Vize.

Lighting Designer – James Farncombe.

Sound Designer – Dan Balfour.

Video Designer – Jack Phelan.

Movement Director – Michela Meazza,

Music – Kelly Moran.

Costume Designer – Natalie Price.