Chekhov’s The Seagull, a new online version

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

Delivered in 30 minute installments over four weeks from Friday 8 May, this production will be rehearsed, performed and broadcast all in the online space. The actors will have just one week per episode to read the script, learn their lines and rehearse, ready to broadcast on Friday of that week.

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.

This retelling of Chekhov’s classic The Seagull is created by a brilliant artistic team and stellar cast, all from their own bubbles.

Chekhov's The Seagull will be presented in four 30 minute episodes at 7pm Friday's from May 8. Free ​via Facebook and YouTube.

Starring

2020 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year
Jennifer Ward-Lealand as Arkadina
(ATC's Six Degrees of Separation and Mrs Warren's Profession)

Stephen Lovatt as Dorn
(Pop Up Globe 2018/19, ATC's Mrs Warren's Profession)

Fasitua Amosa as Medviedenko
(ATC's Rendered, Silo's A Street Car Named Desire)

Goretti Chadwick as Polina
(ATC's Still Life with Chickens and To Kill a Mockingbird)

Arlo Green as Konstantin
(ATC's BOYS, Silo's Hir)

Bruce Phillips as Sorin
(ATC's Six Degrees of Separation and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead)

Bronwyn Ensor as Masha
(ATC's BOYS, Pop Up Globe 2018)

Mustaq Missouri as Shamraev
(ATC's A Fine Balance, Silo's My Heart Goes Thadak Thadak)

Nathalie Morris as Nina
(ATC's The Audience, One Lane Bridge)

Shadon Meredith as Trigorin
(Red Leap's The Arrival, Shortland Street)

Creatives

Eleanor Bishop - Co-adapter and Director
(ATC's Mrs Warren's Profession, Silo's Body Double)

Eli Kent - Co-adapter
(ATC's Peer Gynt [recycled], All Your Wants and Needs Fulfilled Forever)

Owen McCarthy - Video Designer, DOP
(Zanetti Productions' The Contours of Heaven, Red Leap's Owls Do Cry)

Jason Smith - Sound Designer
(ATC's You Can Always Hand Them Back)

Dan Williams - Design Consultation
(ATC's Filthy Business, Silo's Mr Burns)