Ivanov **** - TNT
From Christopher Oram’s subtly atmospheric set to the bitter wit of Tom Stoppard’s colloquial new version, Michael Grandage’s production of Chekhov’s tragi-comedy proves a resounding success. The eponymous landowner at the centre of this comparatively rarely revived early play is a callous, self-loathing and selfish creation whom Kenneth Branagh endows with all the despair of a man on the verge of financial and emotional meltdown, too obsessed with his failing farm and the attentions of a pretty young neighbour to behave halfway decently towards the dying wife (Gina McKee) he no longer loves.
But this is also an ensemble piece in which Lorcan Cranitch’s scheming estate manager, Kevin R.McNally’s affable Lebedev and Malcolm Sinclair’s cynical old uncle make a vodka-fuelled contrast to Tom Hiddleston’s principled but unattractively priggish young doctor.
From Christopher Oram’s subtly atmospheric set to the bitter wit of Tom Stoppard’s colloquial new version, Michael Grandage’s production of Chekhov’s tragi-comedy proves a resounding success. The eponymous landowner at the centre of this comparatively rarely revived early play is a callous, self-loathing and selfish creation whom Kenneth Branagh endows with all the despair of a man on the verge of financial and emotional meltdown, too obsessed with his failing farm and the attentions of a pretty young neighbour to behave halfway decently towards the dying wife (Gina McKee) he no longer loves.
But this is also an ensemble piece in which Lorcan Cranitch’s scheming estate manager, Kevin R.McNally’s affable Lebedev and Malcolm Sinclair’s cynical old uncle make a vodka-fuelled contrast to Tom Hiddleston’s principled but unattractively priggish young doctor.
Wyndhams, Charing Cross Rd, WC2 (0844-482 5120). Until November 29. £10-£32.50
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