Anton Chekhov’s Doctor Astrov Unfurls the Future Onstage

by Barry David Horwitz

Berkeley Rep’s sparkling production of Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” highlights a perennial question: Do we want more exploitation of land and people, or shall we plan for a better, more humane future?

Director Simon Godwin sets Chekhov’s 1899 masterpiece in a comfortable, shabby old house, full of amusing and annoying family and friends. The top-notch actors embody hard-working folks who struggle to survive on an estate in the countryside. But what they earn goes to a remote relative who scoops up all the profits for himself.

That ridiculous Musk-like relative, Alexandre, is a self-important retired professor (elegant Tom Nelis), who lives in the city off the labor of his downtrodden relatives. He lives in a bubble; the workers mean nothing to him. To increase his own profit, he threatens to tear down everything they have built. He’s what we call “transactional,” now.

On the family estate, Hugh Bonneville plays charming Uncle Vanya: mischievous and mercurial. Bonneville’s Vanya tries to master his moods, to revive a spark of life in himself, and to save his beloved niece Sonja (sensitive Melanie Field). He even lusts sweetly for the cranky old professor’s bored, beautiful, young wife Yelena (commanding Ito Aghayere). As Vanya and Sonya, Bonneville and Field make the plight of oppressed, disregarded Russian workers crystal clear.

The friends and family living in that house marvelously express their quirky frustrations. They are all stuck in the past: Nana (Nancy Robinette), Waffles (Craig Wallace), and Grandmaman (Sharon Lockwood) each languish lovingly. They form a magnificent symphony of comedy and self-mockery, drinking vodka and squabbling.

Poor Uncle Vanya cannot imagine a better future; he is stuck in the past with no hope. Bonneville’s loving portrait makes him part of our time, too. He’s a sweet and unappreciated cog in the machinery.

But Bonneville’s compassionate Uncle Vanya is set against the stirring, prophetic Dr. Astrov (mesmerizing John Benjamin Hickey). Dr. Astrov holds the key to Vanya and Sonya’s possible liberation. The Doctor embodies hope and clear-sightedness. Hickey’s Astrov tries to unlock the future with his carefully drawn maps of their lush, forested countryside.

When Astrov spreads out three large maps of their lands, depicting past-present-and-future, all of Vanya’s suffering and the whole family’s dysfunction, comes into sharp focus—a peak dramatic moment to savor. He shows the future to his beloved Yelena, but what will come of it?

One map shows the region twenty-five years ago, with thick forests, herds of elk, flocks of swans, and fresh sweet lakes. The peasants can live off this land and have for centuries. But map number two, shows their present day, depicting diminished forests, and few elk and swan, less land for living. Modern development has come, reducing resources but ignoring or trampling people who live there.

Finally, Dr. Astrov’s third map, decades into the future, shows a depraved and decimated landscape. The woods are gone, the animals are gone. And people are impoverished. This is the result of the course they are on. It’s profit vs. power, horror vs. humanity.

Dr. Astrov and Vanya form opposing elements of Chekhov’s question: What is to be done? Will we continue enslaving worker bees like Vanya and Sonya for the enrichment of the remote “elites”? Or will we take those maps and use them to plan a better future for everyone? Godwin’s gem-like “Vanya” puts the question to us full force. Don’t miss this hopeful and visionary work.

“Uncle Vanya” by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Conor McPherson, directed by Simon Godwin, a co-production with Shakespeare Theatre Company, scenic design by Robert Brill, costumes by Susan Hilferty & Heather C. Freedman, lighting by Jen Schriever, sound by Darron L. West, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Info: berkeleyrep.org – to March 23, 2025.

Cast: Kina Kantor | Ensemble, Nancy Robinette | Marína Timoféevna, John Benjamin Hickey | Mikhaíl Ástrov, Sharon Lockwood | Maríya Voinítsky, Hugh Bonneville | Iván Voinítsky, Tom Nelis | Aleksándr Serébryakov, Craig Wallace | Ílya Ílyich Telégin, Melanie Field | Sófya Aleksándrovna, and Ito Aghayere | Eléna Andréevna.

Banner photo: Craig Wallace (Waffles) & Hugh Bonneville (Vanya). Photos: Kevin Berne