NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: VANYA, UK, 2023. Starring Andrew Scott. Directed by Sam Yates. 100 minutes. Rating not available, though coarse language.
This is a filmed version of a celebrated theatrical performance by Andrew Scott in a contemporary version of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. For those unfamiliar with Chekhov’s famous play, it would be prudent to become familiar with the drama, characters and their interactions so as to be able to identify the characters here, as some of Chekhov’s names have changed – Marina becoming Maureen, for instance, and references to Ivan more than Vanya.
The setting is transferred from Russia to a farm in Ireland. There Ivan/Vanya the manager, his niece, Sonia, his uncle, the pompous filmmaker, Alexander, with his new younger wife, Helena, who is the object of attraction by the local doctor, Michael. There is also the local friend, Liam and his wife.
Identifying the characters is important because the key aspect of this theatrical piece is that Irish actor, Andrew Scott, plays all the roles. It is an impressive tour de force. Scott alone on stage, alters his voice, establishes mannerisms and stylised movement to indicate characters. He uses his body and limbs to indicate different characters.
As well as the acting, Scott does an amount of stage business throughout, lights on and off, going into cupboards and out, a gimmick to indicate a wolf whistle, boiling the kettle, cup of tea, bottle of alcohol and continually lighting up . . .
For Chekhov lovers, noticing of the parallels and adaptations will be intriguing. For those not familiar with Chekhov, it may be an effort to follow the whole play and its thrust, its themes of age, regrets, loves and relationships, vanities, the range of the faults and foibles of human nature.
For those watching Vanya on streaming, it may be helpful to turn on the subtitles – which indicate which character is actually speaking.
So, whether Chekhov and Uncle Vanya are familiar or not, this 100-minute piece is well worth seeing to be amazed at the talent and skills of one actor holding the stage. While the audience is shown and audience applause is heard, audiences watching this film version will be glad that they are seeing close-ups of Andrew Scott and his performance, enhancing the intensity and communication.
Sharmill
Released 8 March