Alan Ayckbourn: Plays Directed

Uncle Vanya (1972)

Production Details

Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
Anton Chekhov
No

Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre
Concert Room, Scarborough Library
Round

17 July 1972
17 July 1972
30 August 1972

Company Details

Director:
Costumes:

Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Asst. Stage Manager:
Asst. Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Tina Bicat

Jennifer Smith
David Millard
David Hayward
Sue Rogers
Character
Dr Astrov
Marina
Vanya
Serebryakov
Teleyegin
Sonya
Yelena
Madame Voynitsky
Yefim
Actor
Ray Jewers
Jennifer Piercey
Christopher Godwin
Stanley Page
Piers Rogers
Heather Stoney
Philippa Urquhart
Matyelok Gibbs
David Hayward

Notes

An article in the 13 April 1972 edition of The Stage newspaper indicates the original intention was to produce a modern version of Uncle Vanya; however, the piece was produced in period. Whilst there is no surviving evidence of Alan Ayckbourn's original plans for the production in his own archive and the playwright himself cannot remember his intentions, the production is mentioned in the Scarborough Theatre Trust minutes for 15 January 1972. There it notes the 1972 summer season will include "a modern version of Uncle Vanya by Chekov [sic]." During the next board meeting, dated 5 February 1972, Alan Ayckbourn is reported to have presented his plans for the season which again include - and was accepted by the board - a "modern version of Uncle Vanya by Chekov [sic]" would be produced.
This was Christopher Hampton's translation and adaptation of Chekhov's play.
Alan Ayckbourn would later adapt Uncle Vanya to a 1930s setting with Dear Uncle, which he also directed at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in 2011.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust.