
Uncle Vanya presented by Melbourne Theatre Company tickets


About Uncle Vanya
Experience Anton Chekhov’s masterful examination of the human condition, filled with humour, frustration and the fragile hope of change. Artistic Director Anne-Louise Sarks brings this tragicomedy to life featuring Daniel Henshall (Snowtown, The Babadook), Philippa Northeast (The Newsreader, The Family Next Door, My Brilliant Career), Fayssal Bazzi (Much Ado About Nothing), Catherine Văn-Davies (The Twelve), Shaun Micallef (Mad as Hell, Talkin’ ’Bout Your Generation), Carolyn Bock (POTUS, Dalliance), Don Bridges (Nautilus, The Twelve, Judy & Punch), and Evelyn Krape (Bloom, Yentl).
In a once-grand estate in rural Russia, a group of relatives and visitors grapple with the slow unravelling of everything. Uncle Vanya and his niece Sonya have spent years managing the property to support the work of an esteemed professor. When the professor arrives – accompanied by his beautiful, younger wife Yelena – their quiet routine is fractured. Vanya’s longing for Yelena only deepens his discontent, while Sonya silently endures a heartbreak of her own.
Following the runaway success of Season 2024’s Julia – the latest triumph in a remarkable career spanning decades – award-winning playwright Joanna Murray-Smith deftly reframes Chekhov’s satirical look at the intellectual class of the 19th century for today while ‘leaving the spirit… gloriously intact’ (Sydney Morning Herald).
Know before you go
Forum Night: Mon 27th Jul (after show) | Audio Described: Sat 8th Aug 2pm & Tue 11th August, 6.30pm | Tactile Tour: Sat 8th Aug, 2pm (Tactile tour commences at 1pm) | Open & Closed Captioning: Sat 15th Aug, 2pm | Relaxed Performance: Sat 22nd Aug, 2pm
Categories
Start date
21st July, 2026
End date
22nd August, 2026
Venue
Playhouse | Arts Centre Melbourne
Accessibility
The venue is wheelchair accessible. An Assistive Hearing system is available. Assistance Animals are welcome in all areas of Arts Centre Melbourne and water bowls are available on request.
Directions
BY TRAIN: The closest train station is Flinders Street Station. Exit the station onto Swanston Street, turn your back on the city and walk across Princes Bridge.
BY TRAM: The tram routes that stop in front of Arts Centre Melbourne are: 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72. This stop is number 14 – “Arts Precinct"
BY BICYCLE: Bicycle lanes run north and south along St Kilda Road. On-street bicycle hoops are available outside Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building (under the Spire)
BY CAR: Arts Centre Melbourne's paid undercover car park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is extremely limited street parking.
More information about Uncle Vanya
★★★★★ "Unmissable" - Standing Innovation
★★★★★ "We did not want it to end." - Off Stage
★★★★ "Beautifully performed and elegantly staged" - The Scoop
"A Classic cleverly shaped for today's audiences"- Scenestr
"The comedy and tragedy exist in perfect balance." - Australian Arts Review
Adapter: Joanna Murray-Smith
Director: Anne-Louise Sarks
Lighting Designer: Paul Jackson
Co-composer & Sound Designers: Grace Ferguson, Joe Paradise Liu
Cast: Fayssal Bazzi, Caroyln Bock, Don Bridges, Daniel Henshall, Evelyn Krape, Shaun Micallef, Philippa Northeast, Catherine Văn-Davies