THEY raised the Royal standard to new heights last night as the Royal Exchange began a year of dramatic celebrations marking its 25th anniversary.

The 'National Theatre of the North' conjured up its favourite son, newly-knighted Sir Tom Courtenay, for its premier production and he triumphed in Chekhov's masterpiece of doom, gloom and just a bit of hope.

In Chekhov, tedium is the message, of course, but in Sir Tom's hands there was never a dull moment.

He captured perfectly the essence of the irascible Vanya, struggling to survive when he finds his loves and labours lost.

John Bennett was brilliant as the retired professor who returns to his crumbling country estate as a one-man wrecking crew, and Helen Schlesinger was the very model of a disappointed wife.

Perhaps the performance of the night came from Robert Glenister as the doctor blessed with the happily-optimistic personality of a gravedigger.

And director Greg Hersov evoked wonderfully a tired and bored society on the brink of historic upheaval.

Sir Tom Courtenay first appeared at what he describes as his favourite theatre way back in 1976 when it opened its doors with a staging of The Rivals, and last night he returned in splendour.

A favourite Uncle, indeed.

Uncle Vanya, at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester until October 20.