New versions of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya and Tolstoy’s The Kreutzer Sonata will draw the 30th anniversary season of the Gate theatre to a close this autumn.
Sam Holcroft’s Vanya, which runs from 26 August to 26 September, takes a closer look at the four central characters of Chekhov’s tragicomedy, exploring a world of high emotion, memory and missed opportunity. Vanya will star Fiona Button, who recently appeared in Madame De Sade, Robert Goodale, Susie Trayling and Simon Wilson.
A winner of the Tom Erhardt Award for emerging writers, Holcroft has previously had worked staged by the National Theatre of Scotland (Cockroach) and the Royal Court (Vogue).
Nancy Harris’s adaptation of The Kreutzer Sonata, which runs from 5 November to 5 December, brings to the stage Tolstoy’s tale of a crime triggered by Beethoven’s music. Once banned by the Russian authorities for its explicit argument about the corrupting power of sexual obsession and jealousy, it is staged at the Gate theatre with the accompaniment of musicians, in a version exploring the potent power of music and memory.
Speaking about the programming, the Gate theatre’s co-Artistic Directors Natalie Abrahami – who directs both pieces – and Carrie Cracknell commented: “British theatre has changed unrecognizably since 1979 when the Gate first opened its doors. Since that time the Gate has been a springboard for successive generations of theatre makers. We are delighted to continue in this spirit by premiering radical new versions of international classics by two exciting emerging playwrights. We believe these are ones to watch.”
Notting Hill’s Gate theatre was opened in 1979 by American entrepreneur Lou Stein, who had a particular interest in European theatre and politics. In the 30 years since, it has built a reputation for innovative international theatre and been run by many of the UK’s most influential young directors, including Thea Sharrock, David Farr, Laurence Boswell and Stephen Daldry.
MA