Lovers of theatre are warmly invited to a rare opportunity to hear directly from Andrew Foster, the director of Uncle Vanya, as he shares his creative process, intentions, and the thinking behind bringing this Chekhov classic to life at Circa Theatre. This intimate talk offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the production, with the added option for attendees to head straight to the show afterwards should they wish to experience the work in full. As a special treat, simply show your Friends of Te Papa booking confirmation at Circa to enjoy a complimentary drink of your choice* before the performance.
*Standard house wine, beer or soft drink only, 1x per person, must be of 18 years or older.
Friends of Circa are warmly welcomed to attend at our member price below.
Uncle Vanya
Chekhov’s 130-year-old masterpiece gets a contemporary twist, set against a rural vineyard backdrop.
Sonny and his Uncle Vanya have spent years keeping the family estate running to support Sonny’s father, the celebrated novelist Alex Serebryakov. When Alex returns with his much younger wife, years of quiet sacrifice and buried resentment bubble to the surface.
Adapted by Andrew Foster and starring Tawhi Thomas, Jonny Potts, Peter Hambleton, Kali Kopae, Andrew Paterson and Carmel McGlone.
Don’t miss this groundbreaking classic, reimagined for a new generation, and still as funny and devastating today as ever.
Reviews:
“…a masterclass in emotional subtlety, where the silences speak louder than the words.” — The New York Times
“More than a century after its premiere, Uncle Vanya still feels startlingly modern.” — The Times
“Uncle Vanya remains one of the most psychologically acute and emotionally resonant plays in the theatrical canon. — The Telegraph
Directed and Designed by Andrew Foster
Sat 12 Sept – Sat 10 Oct
Tues – Sat 7pm, Sunday 4pm
Preview Night Friday 11 September
Sunday Special 13 September
Choose Your Price & Q&A Night Tuesday 15 September
CIRCA ONE
$25 – $60
Audience Care: Themes of mental health and violence and simulated gun shots
Duration 2 hours, 30 minutes including a 15-minute interval
Director and Designer Andrew Foster was a co-founder of the award-winning Wellington theatre company Trouble. He has become known for his contribution to the development of new works. His collaborations with playwrights Jo Randerson, Gary Henderson, and Duncan Sarkies, have become contemporary landmarks.
Andrew was Head of Radio Drama at Radio New Zealand in 2004-05 and during this time was instrumental in bringing many of the new voices of NZ theatre to radio, including The Flight of the Conchords, Te Radar and The SEEyD Trilogy, which won Best Radio Drama at the 2005 NZ Radio Awards.
Most recently Andrew Directed and Designed Apocalypse Z, an immersive theatre work about a Zombie Apocalypse in Auckland’s Aotea Square.