Vanya @ the Lucille Lortel Theatre

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The Play: Vanya, a one-man version of Anton Chekhov’s increasingly popular mediation on how unrequited love and existential despair surface when a retired professor and his young trophy wife visit relatives in their remote rural home

Adapted by: Simon Stephens        Directed by: Sam Yates

One good thing: Andrew Scott, supported only by a few small props, is a marvel, playing all of the eight major characters while keeping each one distinct and the story dramatically engaging

One not-so-great thing: As great as Scott is and as clever as Yates’ direction is (look out for the sex scenes!) I still don’t get what having one actor take on all the roles reveals about the play itself

 

 


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