I scurried uptown, ears twitching at the whispers: Andrew Scott is doing Chekhov. Alone. And not just any Chekhov—Uncle Vanya, the granddaddy of existential sulking.
What’s it about? A crumbling Russian estate. Wasted lives. Unspoken love. Lots of sighing into the void. This time, it’s all distilled into one performer. No ensemble. No safety net. Just Scott shifting between longing uncle, bitter doctor, and disillusioned family.
THE RAT’S RECOMMENDATION:
“Vanya”
Cheese Score: 🧀🧀🧀(3/5)
Description:
Vanya follows the story of strained relationships, lost purpose, and unrequited love on a rural Russian estate, performed entirely by Andrew Scott as a one-man adaptation.
Why You Should Care:
A Rehearsal Room Laid Bare – No set, no tricks. Just a stripped-back studio space where Scott’s shifting gestures, flickers of expression, and precise movement become the entire world.
Emotional Extremes – Scott moves between stillness and violence, restraint and collapse. One moment sobbing, the next prowling. The emotional range is wide, the transitions abrupt.
Not Just a Star – The one-man format strips Uncle Vanya of traditional structure. Characters emerge and fade as fragments of memory, conflict, and obsession, shifting sharply without warning. It’s not a showcase; it’s an experiment in fractured storytelling.
Where – Lucille Lortel How Long – 1hr 40 mins
Who to Bring - The theatre snob who insists they “prefer the original Russian.” The Sherlock fan still calling him “Hot Moriarty.” The friend with a celebrity crush who’ll pretend they came for the Chekhov. The multitasker who thinks they can do all witness Andrew play 20 characters…
Overall Cheese rating: 3/5
RAT READERS 🐀🐀🐀
Here we share the responses from our fellow Rat Mischief - this was from last week’s show - Dead Outlaw! Submit your review and get featured in next week’s edition.
This play has gallows humour mixed with great country/classic rock music. It's quirkly, odd and fun. Excellent cast!
Until next week, keep it dramatic, keep it ratty, and always aim for center stage! 🐀✨.
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With lots of Ratitude,
The Stage Rat