Jealousy and despair in Chekhov masterpiece at Leamington’s Loft

James Wolstenholme as Dr Astrov and Chloe Orrock as Sonya in Uncle Vanya at the Loft Theatre.

The Loft Theatre company are performing the classic from tomorrow (Saturday) for a one-week run.

Comedy and farce combine in the play, which tells the story of Vanya, who has scrimped and saved to send money to old Professor Serebryakov, but is now feeling disillusioned and in despair.

He is also jealous of the professor’s beautiful wife. So when Serebryakov says he wishes to move to the city, Vanya’s patience finally snaps and he is driven to take drastic action.

The production, based on a translation dating from 1916, has been adapted by Loft director William Wilkinson, who said: “Chekhov is a showman with an optimistic streak. He is about ordinary men and women and the absurdity of much human behaviour.

“There is spontaneous humour, powerful emotional energy, sadness balanced with bursts of mad activity - and underneath it all, the excitement of possibilty.”

The play runs every evening at 7.30pm from tomorrow until Saturday June 15, except on Sunday. Tickets are available online, by calling 0844 493 4938 or at the theatre on performance nights. Discounted tickets for under-25s and students are available on Monday and Tuesday.