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2008

The Seagull at the Walter Kerr Theatre

Written by Anton Chekhov

The Royal Court Theatre The Seagull A play by Anton Chekhov, in a new version by Christopher Hampton Director, Ian Rickson Designs, Hildegard Bechtler Sound, Ian Dickinson Lighting, Peter Mumford Music, Stephen Warbeck Cast, Denise Black Mackenzie Crook Chiwetel Ejlofor Paul Jesson Art Malik Carey Mulligan Christopher Patrick Nolan Katherine Parkinson Mary Rose Pearce Quigley Kristin Scott Thomas Peter Wight

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director 
Dominic Cooke

Adapted by 
Christopher Hampton

Original Language 
Russian

Dates Performed

Tue 16th Sep 2008
Walter Kerr Theatre
New York

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)

Ian Rickson

Cast & Creative

Cast

Kristin Scott Thomas

Cast

Mackenzie Crook

Cast

Art Malik

Cast

Carey Mulligan

Cast

Pearce Quigley

Cast

Peter Wight Christopher Patrick Nolan

Cast

Mary Rose

Designer

Hildegard Bechtler

Lighting

Peter Mumford

Costume

Hildegard Bechtler

Sound

Ian Dickinson

Music

Stephen Warbeck

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