Joanna Murray-Smith's irreverent adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya premieres in Melbourne

Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith has penned a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, now playing at Arts Centre Melbourne until 22 August, directed by Melbourne Theatre Company's artistic director Anne-Louise Sarks. The production stars Daniel Henshall as Vanya, with a cast including Philippa Northeast as Sonya, Shaun Micallef as Professor Serebryakov, Catherine Văn-Davies as Yelena, Fayssal Bazzi as Doctor Astrov, Carolyn Bock as Maryia, and Evelyn Krape and Don Bridges as Nanny and Telyeghin. Murray-Smith's script updates Chekhov's language with contemporary phrasing and Australianisms (e.g., 'chook'), adds profanity, and foregrounds the play's female characters. Design elements include Dann Barber's Brechtian set with rubbery trees and rolling walls, Paul Jackson's poetic lighting, and a score by Joe Paradise Lui and Grace Ferguson featuring discordant piano. The production emphasizes the tragicomic absurdity of the original, balancing humor with melancholy. Northeast, who will next play Sybylla in Netflix's adaptation of My Brilliant Career, delivers a standout performance as Sonya.