John Hannah will return to the London stage to play the title role in Anya Reiss’ new version of Chekhov’s masterpiece Uncle Vanya at the St James Theatre next month.
The Four Weddings And A Funeral star will be joined in the cast by stage regulars Amanda Hale (The Nether, Royal Court), Amanda Boxer (Relative Values, Harold Pinter Theatre), Buffy Davis (Hedda Gabler, Young Vic), RSC regular Joe Dixon and comedian Alan Francis (Accolade, Finborough Theatre).
Hannah, whose many starring roles on screen include hit films Sliding Doors and The Mummy, and television series A Touch Of Cloth, Blood And Sand and Cold Blood, will take on the legendary role of a man whose life is turned upside down when his late sister’s husband returns home with a new beautiful wife in tow.
As the couple’s arrival forces everyone to re-examine their choices, old wounds are reopened, passions are awakened and thwarted ambitions bubble to the surface, threatening the lives of all involved.
The role marks Hannah’s first return to the stage since the 2008 production of Rifleman at the Trafalgar Studios. His other theatre credits include The Mercy Seat at the Almeida Theatre, Miss Julie at the Young Vic and Somewhere at the National Theatre.
Uncle Vanya plays at the St James Theatre from 8 October as part of the One Stage Season, a trio of productions staged to support emerging commercial theatre producers.
The season kicks off this week with Ben Ockrent’s comedy Breeders and will conclude with a revival of Emlyn Williams’s Accolade by director Blanche McIntyre from 12 November.