YOU have to admire busy actress Jill Halfpenny, she's never scared to stretch herself.
Best known as Kate Mitchell in EastEnders and Izzie in Waterloo Road, she also captured the public's imagination when she took the Strictly Come Dancing crown.
Now her career has taken a new twist, playing Sonia in Anton Chekhov's masterpiece tragi-comedy Uncle Vanya.
But, barely recognisable as the plain and dowdy Sonya, she was only one of a small, talented cast who breath wit and humour into Chekov's words
Uncle Vanya's theme is lost time, wasted lives, and impossible loves.
First published in 1899, it has stand the test of time because so many people have similar regrets and unfulfilled ambitions.
Aided by an atmospheric set which helps you feel the muggy heat of an autumn afternoon in the garden of Professor Serebryakov's estate, the scene is set for an engaging couple of hours.
Chekoc's works can be challenging, both for audiences and actors, but Ms Halfpenny says in the programme notes: "I really hope that people who might never have heard of Uncle Vanya before will come and see what it's like."
