People should be beautiful in every way....in their faces and the way they dress, in their thoughts and in their innermost selves.
Audition Date: Thursday 5th March, 7:30pm, Lewes Little Theatre Foyer
Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya is a four-act play detailing the emotional crises of inhabitants on a rural Russian estate. Ivan "Vanya" Voinitsky and his niece, Sonya, have spent years managing the estate for Professor Serebryakov, only to face disillusionment, unrequited love, and intense, stagnant misery. When the narcissistic professor and his beautiful young wife, Yelena visit, this disrupts the daily lives of the occupants and leads to confrontations, flirtations and violence!
ALEXANDER SEREBRYAKOV, a retired professor (Playing age 50-70) - a retired university professor, who has lived for years in the city on the earnings of his late first wife's rural estate, managed for him by Vanya and Sonya. Retired, but still trying to work through bouts of gout and insomnia which he inflicts on the rest of the household.
YELENA, his wife, twenty-seven years old (Playing age 25-40) - Serebryakov's young and beautiful second wife. She is 27 years old. Married for love, but now desperately unhappy and does not hide this in front of her husband. Vanya is in love with her, but she does not accept his advances. She is somewhat “taken” by Astrov!
SONYA, his daughter by a former marriage (Playing age 20s) - Serebryakov's daughter from his first marriage to Vanya’s sister. She is of a marriageable age but is considered plain (even by herself). Loyal to her uncle and deeply in love with Astrov who is oblivious to this.
MARIYA, widow of a privy councillor, and mother of Vanya and Serebryakov's first wife (Playing age 70s)- spends her time supporting the professor’s work, much to Vanya's annoyance. Argues with Vanya about this.
IVAN (VANYA) VOYTINSKY her son (Playing age 45-55) - Maria's son and Sonya's uncle, also brother-in-law of Serebryakov. He is the title character of the play and states he is 47 years old. Feels like he has wasted his life and is antagonistic towards Serebryakov, which culminates dramatically in Act 3.
MICHAEL ASTROV, a doctor (Playing age 35-45) - a middle-aged country doctor. His preoccupation with the destruction of forests is one of the earlier discussions of ecological problems in world literature. Oblivious to Sonya’s feelings – falls for Yelena.
ILYA (WAFFLES) TELEGIN, an impoverished landowner (Playing age 60-70)- nicknamed "Waffles" for his pockmarked skin): an impoverished landowner, who now lives on the estate as a dependant of the family. Has a long history in the area and with the family.
MARINA, an old nanny (Playing age 70s) – an old nurse and family retainer – pretty much loved by everyone in the household. Calming influence on Serebryakov, despite her despair at the disruption he causes. Caring and supporting to all, especially Sonya and Vanya
For a script, audition pieces or more information, please contact the director Darren Heather at dsheather219@gmail.com
