Rosemary Crayford directed Royal Wootton Bassett’s long-established drama group, the Clarendon Players, in Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya - a bold venture into the unremitting toil of Russian rural life in the late 19th century.

The sparsely furnished, effective set, with impressive fireplace, was designed by Dick Clark. Recorded and live music, and good sound effects, enhanced the play’s sombre tone. Alec Smith as Vanya and Charlotte Pracy as his niece Sonya, whose many years of toil had maintained the family estate, were disconcerted by the arrival of Sonya’s father, the eminent Professor Serebryakov a bombastic, selfish man played by Mel Hopkins.

His attractive younger second wife, Yelena, was played with great charm by Karen Smith, whose interaction with her step-daughter Sonya brought welcome light relief. Neil Edwards was excellent as the doctor, Astrov. Doreen Hewer gave a perfect portrayal of the elderly, philosophical nanny, who knew no other way of life.

There is unrequited passion, alarm and despair when the much-lauded professor, with no idea of the struggle endured by his daughter and brother-in-law, callously suggests the sale of the estate.

The play is full of unrelenting grimness. Vanya protests: “This despicable life has dragged us under,” but Sonya urges him, “Endure, endure!”

Eventually, they are left to do so, as life resumes its bleak pattern of toil. Wendy Mitchell, Mark Richardson and Bradley Cowtan completed an able, well-costumed cast.