Dupre Vs Chekhov, Round 1, in which I review Uncle Vanya and Chekhov reviews me

             Sheridan Dupre on Anton Chekhov
I've now seen a couple productions of Uncle Vanya in the last month or so, and I must say I'm not impressed.  I know that some of the blame may be due to the actors and whatnot, but still, they have to go with what this guy wrote, and it's just not that much.  I mean the whole Yelena and Astrov thing never really comes alive, nor do I even believe Yelena and Professor.  I mean, I don't even think the Professor is that smart, but she's all like I fell in love with him cause of his brains.  Chekhov should have done something to increase his recognition and celebrity, like put a big bust of the professor on stage - or on the cover of the book - so when he comes on everyone's like, hmmm where have I seen that dude before? Isn't he famous?

And then what's the deal with after the shooting scene, everyone just moves on so quickly.  Like Sonya's like, oh, Uncle Vanya just tried to [spoiler alert!] shoot my stepdad, but it's cool.  And then what about the scene near the end where the Professor, who in the scene just before was on his frickin' death bed, comes on stage all sprightly giving people advice and stuff.  Do something with your lives!  That's his big advice?!  Not, hide the gun from your Uncle Vanya, he's a depressed maniac?  And Astrov's all like (in his sexy voice), give me my morphine back Vanya, and yet no one confiscates the gun?!  At least not in the productions I saw.  And I highly doubt it's in the book.  That's vintage Chekhov sloppiness.  Come on, doc!

And then it gets all preachy, like at the end with Sonya going on and on, about working and resting.  I was like, Wrap it up already!  I have a long commute and I want to get some rest!

There are some yuks, definitely, and the nature stuff seems relevant, but still. 2/5 stars.


Anton Chekhov on Sheridan Dupre
I would rather live in deep dark Siberia and yet feel myself a man of moral worth, than to live one day in Sheridan Dupre's decadent boots with his reputation of a drunkard and a scoundrel. 0/5 stars.