The Complete Plays: Uncle Vanya (1972)

Production Details
Title:
Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:
Uncle Vanya
Anton Chekhov
No

The Library Theatre, Scarborough
Concert Room
Round
Translation:
Adaptation:
Original Play:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
Nina Froud
Christopher Hampton
Dyádya Ványa

17 July 1972
17 July 1972
30 August 1972
Company Details
Director:
Costumes:

Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant 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
Why is this play significant?
Despite being one of Alan Ayckbourn's favourite playwrights and major influences, The Seagull marked the first time a play by Anton Chekhov had been produced by the company since it was founded in 1955.
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 play 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. As it was, a period piece using David Hampton's adaptation of the play was produced.
○ This is believed to be the first professional in-the-round production of Uncle Vanya in the UK.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust