Uncle Vanya By Anton Chekhov at Birmingham Rep
Rachel Kavanaugh directs a brand new adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya starring Jill Halfpenny, as part of her first season as Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Friday 23 March to Saturday 14 April.
Chekhov's masterpiece is an unforgettable study of unfulfilled dreams and unrequited love. Adapted by award-winning playwright Bryony Lavery, this new pared down version lays bare the frustration and longing of a family in the depths of rural Russia as claustrophobia threatens to tear them apart.
This stunning new production stars Jill Halfpenny as Sonya. Jill's theatre credits include The Bodies, Cooking With Elvis, 1984 and after being crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing she made a triumphant West End debut as Roxie in the smash-hit musical Chicago. She has also appeared in Coronation Street, EastEnders and Waterloo Road.
The cast also includes John Ramm as Uncle Vanya whose recent credits include Nicholas Nickelby and King Lear at Chichester, And Then There Were None at the Gielgud plus many roles for the RSC. He will be joined by Flora Montgomery (Elena), Robert Goodale (Telegrin), Christopher Goodwin (Serebryakov), Gillian Hanna (Maryia), Georgine Anderson (Marina) and John Hodgkinson (Astrov).
Bryony Lavery has written over 20 plays including the award-winning Frozen, A Wedding Story and Illyria, and her next play Red Sky is due to open at the National Theatre in 2007. Bryony previously adapted Ibsen's A Doll's House, which Rachel Kavanaugh directed at The REP in 2004.
Rachel Kavanaugh's previous work at Birmingham Repertory Theatre includes The Lady In The Van, The Madness of George III, Arcadia and The Wizard of Oz. She became Artistic Director of The REP in 2006.
Uncle Vanya will be designed by Ruari Murchison, with lighting by Mark Jonathan and music by Catherine Jayes.
Box Office: 0121 236 4455
Book online: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
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