Thoughts on "Uncle Vanya".

Based, not on reading the play, but on a broadcast of it on BBC Radio 3 in 2014.

(1) Characters.

Yelyena: Bimbo.

The Professor: Why did they wait till near the end to shoot him? They could have done it in Act 1 and saved a lot of bother.

Uncle Vanya: Actually quite loveable, I'd have him as my uncle any day. (NB - though not as my Dad.)

Doctor: self-pitying drunk. Deserves Yelyena.  Doesn't deserve Sonya.

Sonya: The poor, poor kid.  Give her a break.  What is it with people called Sonya in Russian literature?  Bless.

The old lady who makes the tea: Completely forgotten what relation she is to everyone else.  Thank God she's there to make the tea.

Bloke with pock-marked face: I'd forgotten what he's doing there - and so, it seems, had he.

The samovar:  THE TRUE HERO.

(2) Author.

Anton Chekhov.  Preferred his work in "Star Trek" if I'm honest.

(3) Plot.

Can be summed up as follows: Everybody except Sonya; stop ogling the bimbo and get on with your work.  Sonya; have a break, love. Oh, and don't bother with the doctor. He's a self-pitying drunk.  IS THE SAMOVAR ON?

Er, that's about it.