A Berkeley Rep docent will present about the history and background of the upcoming production of Anton Chekhov’s celebrated play, Uncle Vanya. There will also be an open audience discussion of the play’s history, current production and themes. Attendees do not need to have seen the play in order to enjoy the talk and group discussion.

In Uncle Vanya the distinguished elderly owner of a rural estate returns home with a new, young wife, causing, chaos, confessions and vodka all to flow freely in Chekhov's heartbreaking comedy abut the eternal battle between futility and change. Through a delicate balance of humor and pathos, the additional interrelated themes the play explores include human dissatisfaction, regret, and the search for meaning in life; the exploration of unrequited love and impossible desires; and the tension between a work ethic and the perceived purposelessness in life. The play is a critique of societal norms in Chekhov’s times and is also considered one of the first plays to raise questions about environmental issues. Berkeley Rep’s production stars Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington).

Uncle Vanya runs at Berkeley Rep from February 14–March 23, 2025.

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