Uncle Vanya is the other great Chekhov play. “Gloomy and purposeless” sums up much Chekhovian drama quite accurately. The Russian word is “toska” — a sort of weary, faded ennui.
Uncle Vanya’s trousers, interestingly enough, are not actually featured in either of Chekhov’s plays. As Terry pointed out on afp: “Well, yes. Vimes got them.”