Written in 1895 by Anton Chekhov, and now reignited for the 21st century in an adaptation by Anya Reiss, the Chesil Theatre's July production of 'The Seagull' marks the play's 120th anniversary. It is a beautifully crafted drama exploring themes of unrequited love, art, ambition and the comic tragedies that are borne out of this struggle.
Having read five translations of the original production, Director Deborah Edgington chose this modern version “It really struck a chord with me. Reiss manages to retain the spirit of Chekhov’s original play whilst ensuring it is contemporary and gutsy, creating appeal for purists and modernists alike.”
When it premiered at Southwark Playhouse in 2012, it was described in The Telegraph as ‘fresh, colloquial, sexy and downright perceptive...’. The Chesil Theatre has stepped up to this challenge with both familiar and brand new faces in its ten-strong cast.
Edgington, who has recently returned from co-directing Athol Fugard’s My Children! My Africa! at the Tristan Bates Theatre, London, and Torben Betts’ Muswell Hill at the Park Theatre, London, is delighted to be back at the Chesil Theatre following her directorial debut with A Streetcar Named Desire in 2013.
She added, “This has been an ambitious production and we have been daring in our approach to staging, lighting and music in what has been a very short rehearsal period. Our talented actors have also been working hard on movement as well as the intensity of the dialogue. I am excited to be bringing Chekhov’s comic masterpiece to the familiar intimacy of the Chesil Theatre.”
The Seagull is one of Chekhov's four major plays; the others being The Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya and The Cherry Orchard.
Performances of The Seagull run from 11 to 18 July at 7.45pm plus 2.30pm matinee on 18 July. Tickets available online chesiltheatre.org.uk or tel. 0333 666 3366.
For behind-the-scenes news and gossip follow The Seagull on twitter @SeagullChesilTC
Having read five translations of the original production, Director Deborah Edgington chose this modern version “It really struck a chord with me. Reiss manages to retain the spirit of Chekhov’s original play whilst ensuring it is contemporary and gutsy, creating appeal for purists and modernists alike.”
When it premiered at Southwark Playhouse in 2012, it was described in The Telegraph as ‘fresh, colloquial, sexy and downright perceptive...’. The Chesil Theatre has stepped up to this challenge with both familiar and brand new faces in its ten-strong cast.
Edgington, who has recently returned from co-directing Athol Fugard’s My Children! My Africa! at the Tristan Bates Theatre, London, and Torben Betts’ Muswell Hill at the Park Theatre, London, is delighted to be back at the Chesil Theatre following her directorial debut with A Streetcar Named Desire in 2013.
She added, “This has been an ambitious production and we have been daring in our approach to staging, lighting and music in what has been a very short rehearsal period. Our talented actors have also been working hard on movement as well as the intensity of the dialogue. I am excited to be bringing Chekhov’s comic masterpiece to the familiar intimacy of the Chesil Theatre.”
The Seagull is one of Chekhov's four major plays; the others being The Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya and The Cherry Orchard.
Performances of The Seagull run from 11 to 18 July at 7.45pm plus 2.30pm matinee on 18 July. Tickets available online chesiltheatre.org.uk or tel. 0333 666 3366.
For behind-the-scenes news and gossip follow The Seagull on twitter @SeagullChesilTC
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