Andrew Scott (Present Laughter, Fleabag, Sherlock) is set to star in a one-man version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya in the West End.
Adapted by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), Vanya will play at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London from 15 September to 21 October 2023.
Prior to the West End, Scott will take the show to Richmond Theatre, from 28 August to 2 September 2023.
Andrew Scott will take on all of the characters in Chekhov’s famous 1898 play, reuniting with playwright Simon Stephens following their productions of Sea Wall and Birdland.
The production of Vanya will be directed by Sam Yates, with design by Rosanna Vize, and further creatives to be announced.
Simon Stephens’ play Song From Far Away is coming to Hampstead Theatre later this month starring Will Young, and playing from 28 June to 22 July 2023.
Vanya is produced by Wessex Grove, whose shows currently include A Little Life starring James Norton at the Harold Pinter Theatre – and coming soon to the Savoy Theatre.
Writer Simon Stephens said in a press statement: “Anton Chekhov is my favourite writer. Andrew Scott is as good an actor as there is in the world. Sam Yates is an artist of the highest order. To work with these people in the heart of the West End; to be fearlessly creative and exploratory there; to have only the impulse to make art is all utterly thrilling. This is work that reminds me again and again that theatre is our greatest art form. The most alive. The funniest. The sexiest. The most heart breaking. The most human.”
Actor Andrew Scott said: “Heartbreaking, hilarious, sexy, devastating- the genius and extraordinary humanity of Mr Chekhov just knocks me out. It’s a genuine honour and a singular challenge to bring this giant of a play to life in the West End in this new way and I’m so excited to be doing it alongside such brilliant, playful and talented people.”
Director Sam Yates said: “It is a joy to collaborate again with Andrew Scott, an actor of singular sensitivity and power, on Simon Stephen’s adaptation of Vanya. Chekhov’s play is life-affirming and heart-breaking, and places human behaviour under the microscope. Vanya will push this examination to a new level, harnessing the power of the unique connection between actor and audience possible only in the theatre. Andrew’s inexhaustible invention and heart will be central to telling this story, a celebration of the multitudes we contain within ourselves, that we may collectively laugh at our imperfections, despair at our failures, and celebrate our compassion. I am delighted to be working with dynamic and daring Emily Vaughan-Barratt and Benjamin Lowy of Wessex Grove to bring Vanya to the West End and introduce this play to a new generation of audiences.”
Book tickets to Vanya at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London
