The Wood Demon

'Uncle Vanya' may be Chekhov's undisputed masterpiece, but in its earlier incarnation as 'The Wood Demon' it was booed at its premiere and loathed by the playwright himself, who omitted it from his 'Collected Works'. A curious choice for director Victor Sobchak, then. But this tale of a rich young landowner who invites friends and neighbours – including a passionate environmentalist known as 'the Wood Demon' – to a birthday lunch should provide an interesting insight into the evolution, and occasional errings, of greatness.