The Seagull Project, in collaboration with ACTlab, had their fourth opening night this weekend at Falls Theatre. Uncle Vanya is the fourth major play of Chekhov’s the company has produced since 2013, under executive director John Langs.
Uncle Vanya is a humorous play, and the superb acting of the cast brings its comedic potential to its peak, but despite the repeated bursts of laughter this production inspired in the audience, it is far from lighthearted. Chekhov explores what the contemporary world might call the midlife crisis of the eponymous character (Peter Crook). He has worked his entire life to manage his late sister’s estate along with his niece, Sonya (Sunam Ellis), the income of which has supported the life of his brother-in-law, Serebryakov (Mark Jenkins). A retired professor, Serebryakov has moved back to the estate with his much younger wife, Yelena (Alexandra Tavares). The move throws the normally hardworking household into lethargic chaos, as Vanya attempts to come to terms with what he views as a wasted life in light of his disillusionment with work of the professor, and struggles with his unrequited love for Yelena, an obsession the family friend, Doctor Astrov (Sylvester Kamara), shares.
Chekhov is brutally honest in his portrayal of humanity, the unifying characteristic of all of his characters is that they are fundamentally unlikeable, and yet, as the narrative unfolds the cast manages to inspire reluctant feelings of fondness. The friendship that develops between Sonya and Yelena is particularly heartwarming and served as much needed contrast for parts the play that felt uncomfortable in a contemporary context (the behaviour of Astrov and Vanya in regards to Yelena definitely felt squeamish).
Crook was absolutely delightful, and his progression towards an emotional breakdown `was hilarious, if not particularly sympathetic. Physically, his performance was sensational, his facial expressions and habit of wrapping himself up in blankets when stressed were incredibly amusing, while Ellis stole the show with her final, heartbreaking monologue, though the sliver of hope she finds in the promise of rewards for hard work in the afterlife doesn’t offer much in the way of optimistic resolution in 2019 Seattle.
Falls Theatre is downtown, and I wasn’t the only person rushing to my seat in the nick of time due to traffic delays, so planning ahead to go see some brilliant acting is advised. The suicidal themes and existential questions present within this piece makes it more appropriate for a mature audience, though for those who can relate to feeling lost and directionless in life, the professor’s final appeal to the rest of the characters to “do something,” however ironic it may seem, will hit home.
Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov. The Seagull Project. Falls Theatre 700 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101 thru Feb 17.