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1964

The Seagull

Written by Anton Chekhov

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director
George Devine

Translated By
Ann Jellicoe

Original Language 
Russian

Part Of
ESC at the Queen’s

Dates Performed

Thursday 12th March 1964
ESC at the Queen’s

Play Details

Synopsis

A country estate in Russia, late 1800s

Konstantin, an aspiring writer, stages a unique play with his love, Nina, hoping to impress his renowned actress mother, Arkadina, and her partner, the esteemed writer Trigorin. What unfolds are earnest discussions on art’s evolving forms and an artist’s purpose. As ambitions and emotions intertwine, several characters grapple with unfulfilled love and dreams. Nina’s pursuit of Trigorin leads to both hope and heartbreak, influencing the poignant course of Konstantin’s journey.

Director(s)

Tony Richardson

Content Warning

References to suicide

Other productions

Cast & Creative

Cast

Peggy Ashcroft

Cast

Ann Beach

Cast

Kate Binchy

Cast

George Devine

Cast

Mark Dignam

Cast

Peter FInch

Cast

Derek Fuke

Cast

Reginald Graham

Cast

Rachel Kempson

Cast

Philip Locke

Cast

Peter McEnery

Cast

Vanessa Redgrave

Cast

Malcolm Taylor

Translator

Ann Jellicoe

What our readers say

 

The play spans four acts set at Sorin’s estate, with a jump of two years between some acts. It’s grounded in reality, but it also plays with abstract ideas, like Konstantin’s mini-play and the repeated symbol of the seagull.

 

What is it like reading this play now? 

It’s a play that still feels incredibly relevant as even though it’s set in the late 1800s it explores and takes apart universal ideas and questions around the human experience. It speaks to questions around intergenerational conflicts, love, family, and the reasons of how and why we make theatre feel everlasting.

 

If you like this, you might also like…?

‘Mosquito’ by Lucy Kirkwood, ‘The Effect’ by Lucy Prebble, ‘Three Sisters’ adapted by Inua Ellams, ‘Miss Julie’ by Strindberg


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Want to read the script?

 

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