Chekhov's The Seagull - a new online version

 

CHEKHOV’S THE SEAGULL - A NEW ONLINE VERSION

 

Chekhov’s The Seagull, a new online version by Eli Kent and Eleanor Bishop, brings a landmark piece of theatre to the 21st century.

“More top-quality Chekhov like this is needed.
”
— Lloyd Evans, The Spectator UK

Delivered in 30 minute instalments over four weeks from Friday 8 May, Chekhov's famous characters are reimagined with a Kiwi twist and congregate over Zoom. In a direct commentary of our world in lockdown, the characters are still searching for meaning in their lives while battling love, jealousy, dissatisfaction, dreams, hopes and plans - not to mention malfunctioning video calls! This drama all plays out in self-isolation and over virtual interactions with each other.

CREATIVE TEAM

“Superb combination of text, subtext and visual language.”
— John Smythe, Theatreview

  • Director & Co-adaptor: Eleanor Bishop

  • Co-adaptor: Eli Kent

  • Video Designer: Owen McCarthy

  • Composer: Jason Smith

  • Production Designer: Daniel Williams

  • Performance: Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Arlo Green, Bruce Philips, Nathalie Morris, Mustaq Missouri, Goretti Chadwick, Bronwyn Ensor, Shadon Meredith, Stephen Lovatt, Fasitua Amosa

“
set a new standard for what was possible for text-based work created for the online medium”
— Caridad Svich, Toward a Future Theatre: Conversations During a Pandemic
“The inherent awkwardness of communication over zoom – with its delays and pauses – sentences delivered simultaneously to everyone connected and to no one at all – makes Chekhov’s own portrayal of failed communication more palpable than ever.”
— Nathan Joe, Theatrescenes

REVIEWS

  • “Dead Bird: Reflections on The Seagull (A New Version by Auckland Theatre Company)”, Nathan Joe, Theatrescenes, June 10, 2020

  • “A Triumphant Chekhov by Zoom”, Lloyd Evans, The Spectator, June 27, 2020

  • “An intimate adaptation”, Ethan Sills, NZ Herald, May 18, 2020

  • “Act One: Zoom, zoom, we’re stuck in our rooms”, John Smythe, Theatreview, May 10, 2020

  • “Act Two: Of books, writers, fame and prophetic musing”, John Smythe, Theatreview, May 16, 2020

  • “Act Three: Superb combination of text, subtext and visual language”, John Smythe, Theatreview, May 23, 2020

  • “Act Four: A living testament to the resourcefulness and resilience of creative artists”, John Smythe, Theatreview, May 30, 2020

PRESS & CITATIONS