As a theatre lover, this was one of those nights that one just wanted time to stand still. This is as good as it gets! Hungary’s Tamas Ascher, one of the world’s best directors, directing one of the most outstanding local casts ever to perform together, in one of the finest plays about the human condition ever written.

In most shows one is lucky to get one or two special moments that stay in the memory. This ‘Uncle Vanya’ is rich with such moments.

As Professor Serebryakov, John Bell, with his entourage, imperiously entering the stage, summoning his wife Yelena to leave, and there’s just this look in his eyes that knows his wife’s heart belongs elsewhere.

The extraordinary vulnerability depicted in the scene where Richard Roxburgh as Uncle Vanya kneels down before his mother, Maria, played by Sandy Gore, who caresses his hair in an attempt to calm him his rage at the egocentric Professor.

As Yelena and Dr Astrov, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving powerfully play out one of the classic stolen kisses scenes.

Masterly! Do yourself a favour. If you only plan to go to one more show this year, make it ‘Uncle Vanya’!

A Sydney Theatre Company and Goldman Sachs production in association with Bell Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’, in a new adaptation by Andrew Upton, opened on Saturday 13th November, 2010 and runs until Saturday 1st January, 2011 at the Sydney theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.