Geese and Unhappiness

Halfway through the Pearl Theatre Company’s new production of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, the nanny of this unhappy Russian family says that they resemble a flock of geese. While at first it seems like a simple comment, it soon becomes the truth. The inhabitants of this estate fly around each other with bursts of passion and foolishness, becoming more animal than human. When guns have been fired, goodbyes have been had, and coaches carry lovers away from each other, Chekhov’s characters are left to examine how quickly their emotions got the better of them. In tackling Uncle Vanya, the Pearl has taken on a tough play that many attempt, but few are able to pull off. Chekhov, on a whole, can be a nightmare for companies. His tone and pace needs to be handled with care or the play starts to fall apart. While the company largely pulls off a handsome production, something is off. The fact that the translation feels too modern and some of the cast can’t get a handle on their roles are the two main reasons. What results is a production that has moments of emotional weight, but doesn’t stick its landing.