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.
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