UNCLE VANYA
Performance in two parts based on Anton Chekhov’s plays “Uncle Vanya” and “The Wood Demon”

The latest production  of OKT / Vilnius City Theater, “Uncle Vanya”, directed by a famous French director Eric Lacascade, was presented to the audience only a few months ago, but, nevertheless, it has already taken part in the International Theater Festival KONTAKT in Torun (Poland) and received a number of offers for tours in different European countries, and invitations to important international festivals.

According to Lacascade, “Uncle Vanya” (1896) is Chekhov’s (1860-1904) masterpiece. Having delved into the work of the playwright for many years, the director claims he perceives this play as some kind of a call. “Am I attracted by the picture of a stuffy family microcosm? Or the portrait of drowning semi-intellectual and semi-rural bourgeoisie? Or the moans and groans over the young years lost forever, or an originating love story bereft of hope? Crushed Vanya, a miserable life – a great number of lives… the intensity of words and feelings, the characters’ self-rigorousness? Their insight? Exhibitionism? Their inability to act? Our inability? Our vigor? Their submission? Or maybe ours? – The director answers the challenge of the play with questions. “Before giving in, physically or spiritually, men fight, as well as women. For themselves and against others, against themselves and for others. That’s the struggle I intend to show. But subtly.”

Director & author of stage adaptation – Eric Lacascade (France)
In cooperation with Daria Lippi (France)
Set designer – Gintaras Makarevičius
Costume designer – Jolanta Rimkutė

Cast: Vaidotas Martinaitis, Rasa Samuolytė, Dainius Gavenonis, Airida Gintautaitė, Gediminas Girdvainis, Arvydas Dapšys, Irina Lavrinovič, Tomas Rinkūnas, Aurelija Tamulytė, Paulius Tamolė, Jonas Verseckas.

Partners of the project – “Compagnie Eric Lacascade”, “Centre Culturel Franēais de Vilnius”, “Cultures France”, Arts Printing House (Menų spaustuvė).
General sponsor – Swedbank

Premiere – April 7, 2009
Duration – 160 min.

Eric Lacascade – actor, director and head of Centre Dramatique National de Normandie for more than ten years. Lacascade's productions of classic plays – by Sophocles, P. Marivo, J. Racine, and, especially the performances based on Anton Chekhov's plays (e.g. the trilogy “Ivanov”, “Three Sisters”, “Seagull”) have received a very high level of interest in the theatrical world. Eric Lacascade is known as a director who pays a lot of attention to the preparatory work and research, in which he tends to incorporate the actors of the future show.