The aching unfulfilled _{by Madelaine Empson}

An enduring theatre classic is about to get an electric contemporary treatment in Uncle Vanya, Anton Chekov’s funniest tragedy, now set not in Russia but in a rural New Zealand vineyard where unrequited love grows on the vines like botrytis.

Running at Circa Theatre from the 12^th of September to the 10^th of October, this modern adaptation is directed by Andrew Foster and stars Tawhi Thomas (Ngāti Maniapoto) in the titular role. Uncle Vanya has spent years holding the family vineyard together with his nephew Sonny (Andrew Paterson), only to see that sacrifice threatened when Sonny’s father Alex (Peter Hambleton) returns with a much younger wife (Kali Kopae as Helena) and announces plans to sell the estate.

Foster says Chekov’s 1897 play features remarkably relevant, enduring themes like rising living costs, environmental anxiety, strains on healthcare, and an increasingly uncertain future. “Uncle Vanya characters are still very recognisable today, as they struggle to find footing in a rapidly changing world.”

Thomas thinks audiences will relate to the hot-mess-iness of his character, whom he describes as deeply troubled but deeply human, and very funny.

“He’s frustrated, disappointed, self-destructive, grieving the life he thought he might have had, and desperately trying to make sense of himself and the people around him. But what I really love about Vanya is that, even as everything is falling apart, he remains a pure truth-teller. He says the things other people are often too afraid, polite, or deluded to say.”

“I hope audiences can see beyond the chaos and recognise the enormous humanity underneath it”, Thomas continues. “The vulnerability, the humour, the longing, and the very ordinary desire to feel that your life matters.”