Uncle Vanya (Again)

[smallhobbit]

I don't usually see a play twice, but it was no hardship for me to go to Uncle Vanya again.  Last time I went to one of the preview performances by myself, this time the play is well into its run, and I went with friends.

It was lovely to see vix_spes again, and meet two of her friends for the first time.  We'd hoped to go out for a meal together beforehand, but she had had to work late so it wasn't possible, but nevertheless we did catch up on each other's news.

I did enjoy seeing the play again, and not just because Richard Armitage takes his shirt off and gets wet!  It seemed to move faster, or maybe they've tightened up some of the more tedious Chekovian speeches, because I no longer felt like shaking the characters.  Or maybe it was simply because I knew what happened.  In addition, the actress playing Sonya, who I'd not been too impressed with last time, had got a better feel for the part and gave a much more nuanced performance, so her final speech came over very well.

And it's left me hoping RA does more theatre soon!

Comments

[rusty_armour]

It's great that you were able to see Uncle Vanya a second time and catch up with vix_spes. It sounds like everyone's performances have improved since you first saw the play. It's good that some of the weaker areas have been tightened up, etc. Of course, I can't imagine how you could improve on a shirtless Richard Armitage who gets wet. ;-)

[smallhobbit]

Yes, it was good. No, there are certain things which simply can't be improve on ;)

[aome]

You're so completely lucky to see so many West End performances! (And Vix Spes, too!)

[smallhobbit]

I know - it makes me very happy!

[scfrankles]

I'm glad you enjoyed your second viewing of the play (and Mr. Armitage) even more, and that you got to spend some time with friends! ^___^

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - it was a good day :)

[corvidology]

Plays are really living, breathing "creatures" and they change markedly during the course of a run. That's why they're so incredibly difficult to film.

[smallhobbit]

I'm never really taken by filmed plays. And I much prefer the living nature of a play to a film (as you may have gathered!)