Smock Alley Theatre and Cathal Cleary Theatre Company in association with Once Off Productions presents Anton Chekhov’s classic play in the version by Brian Friel at Smock Alley 

The air shimmers with heat. 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.

Age Suitability: 14+

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

CAST:
Catherine Byrne
Risteárd Cooper
Nick Dunning
Adam Fergus
Eavan Gaffney
Morgan C Jones
Eleanor Methven
Maria Oxley Boardman
HK Ni Shiordáin

WRITTEN BY Anton Chekhov
ADAPTED BY Brian Friel
DIRECTED BY Cathal Cleary
SET & COSTUME DESIGNER Maree Kearns
LIGHTING DESIGNER Stephen Dodd
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER Martha Knight
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Eftychia Spyridaki
PRODUCER Lucy Ryan, Once Off Productions
PRODUCTION MANAGER Olivian Drennan
STAGE MANAGER Sibeal Ni Mhaoileoin
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

PREVIEW / MATINÉE TICKETS €24

TICKETS €27 | €24 (Concession)

RUNNING TIME 2 hours 45 mins including a 15 minute interval

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Cathal is an award-winning director from Roscommon who has worked extensively in Ireland & UK. Last year he directed A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Smock Alley) and has launched an EARLY-CAREER DIRECTORS’ SCHEME. In 2018 he directed FURNITURE (Druid, Irish Theatre Award), PORCELAIN and MADHOUSE (both Abbey). Also, THE HALF OF IT (Dublin Fringe 2017) nominated for five Fringe Awards & won one. He won the JMK Award for DISCO PIGS (Young Vic 2011) and was the first Donmar Trainee Artistic Director. He has also directed THOM PAIN (Smock Alley 2024) and the national tour of BLUE THUNDER (2023).

ABOUT THE COMPANY
Once Off Productions Founded in 2006 by Maura O’Keeffe, Once Off Productions provides a structured, supportive, and creative producing platform for independent performance artists. Dedicated to nurturing ambitious, innovative, and collaborative work, the company operates nationally and internationally at all scales. With a strong commitment to bringing live performance to audiences in both traditional and unconventional spaces, Once Off Productions plays a vital role in supporting artists to realise complex and ambitious projects.

ACCESSIBILITY

There will be an ISL performance on Tuesday 9th December and an Audio Described performance on Wednesday 17th December.

SUPPER & SHOW

Treat yourself to this pre-show experience, unlike anything else in Dublin.

Join us before the show for a light supper comprising a grazing platter of charcuterie, cheese and bread along with a drink in our stunning and beautifully ornate Banquet Hall.

€48 | €45 (concession): price includes a ticket to the show, a grazing platter comprising meat, cheese, bread (vegan options available) and a drink (wine/beer/soft drink).

Sitting from 5:30pm with the last sitting at 6:15pm. Show starts at 7pm.

Available on selected evenings only: Tues 9th, Weds 10th, Fri 12th, Mon 15th, Tues 16th, Thurs 18th, Sat 20th Dec

*PLEASE PUT ANY DIETARY REQUIREMENTS IN THE COMMENT BOX AT CHECKOUT