Uncle Vanya
by Anton Chekhov
adapted by Brian Friel

Sonya and her Uncle Vanya grind through their days on a crumbling rural estate, their hopes shrinking with the land around them. When Sonya’s father, the Professor, returns with his restless young wife Elena, the fragile balance of the household splinters. Resentments flare, desires ignite, and long-buried frustrations rise to the surface. With devastating and violent consequences.

Brian Friel’s version of Uncle Vanya is clear, urgent, and heartbreakingly funny. Staged for the first time in Dublin in nearly 20 years, it asks us: is happiness ever worth the risk, and what price must we pay for wanting more?

Following the sell-out success of A Streetcar Named Desire at Smock Alley last Christmas, award-winning director Cathal Cleary returns to Smock Alley for the Christmas season with another unmissable classic, staged with a bold, contemporary vision for today’s audiences.

Featuring an outstanding ensemble of Ireland’s finest stage talent.

Premiered December 2025 at Smock Alley Theatre.

Funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

★★★★ “A bright, often brilliant production, Uncle Vanya is a crowning success.”

- The Arts Review [read full review here]

“a fresh and vivid take”

- Irish Independent [read full review here]

Photos by Olga Kuzmenko

Written by
Anton Chekhov

Adapted by
Brian Friel

Directed by
Cathal Cleary

Presented by
Smock Alley Theatre and Cathal Cleary Theatre Company in association with Once Off Productions

AVAILABLE TO TOUR

For touring details contact Maura O’Keeffe at maura@onceoffproductions.com

PAST PERFORMANCE DATES
4-20 December 2025 at Smock Alley Theatre

ORIGINAL CAST & CREATIVE TEAM

Cast
Catherine Byrne, Risteárd Cooper, Nick Dunning, Adam Fergus, Eavan Gaffney, Morgan C Jones, Eleanor Methven, Maria Oxley Boardman, HK Ní Shioradáin

Set & Costume Designer
Maree Kearns

Lighting Designer
Stephen Dodd

Sound Designer
Martha Knight

Composer
Martha Knight in collaboration with HK Ní Shioradáin

Assistant Director
Eftychia Spyridaki

Producer
Lucy Ryan, Once Off Productions

Assistant Producer
Bernie Bourke

Production Manager
Olivia Drennan

Stage Manager
Sibeal Ni Mhaoileoin

Assistant Stage Managera
Danny Nolan & Amélie Bates

Company Manager
Morgan Steele, Once Off Productions

Costume Supervisor
LaurA Fajardo Castro

Chief LX
Eoin Winning

Graphic Design by
Gareth Jones

Image Photography by
Leo Byrne