REVIEW: Uncle Vanya

Instead of feeling dragged down by the hopelessness of provincial Russian life and lost love, this upbeat and fast-paced take left me with a sense of human survival, of laughing in the face of adversity and human endurance.

Set in the 1890s, an aging professor and his young and beautiful wife return home, causing desperate longing for Uncle Vanya and Doctor Astrov.

Vanya's niece Sonya has similar unrequited feelings for Astrov and on the face of it there can only be a bleak couple of hours ahead.

But with a brilliantly witty script in the hands of director Peter Hall and with fine performances by a cast including Nicholas le Prevost, Ronald Pickup and Neil Pearson, the Theatre Royal Brighton audience is given a highly entertaining and thought-provoking evening.

Le Prevost's brilliant Vanya bursts with energy, mostly of a negative kind against the professor.

Neil Pearson, as an equally bitter and imaginatively Astrov, visits every day to bemoan his loveless state to poor Sonya, whose deep feelings for him remain unreturned.

She is perfectly played by Loo Brealey, with some outstandingly strong, speedily delivered and passionate speeches.

Ronald Pickup plays a true survivor with ease '“ a professor sinking into old age but continuing to live through his work producing pamphlets.

His wife, Yelena, is brought to life perfectly by Michelle Dockery, as a bored and unfulfilled wife who has fallen out of love but still has repressed passion.

And then there is Telegin, played by David Ganly, who manages humour, music and song even though his wife deserted him the day after their marriage.

Uncle Vanya finishes its run on March 1. Tickets from 08700 606650 or click here

For forthcoming shows at Brighton click here

Nikki Jeffery