Gregory A Smith & Carmen Rodriguez as Boris Trigorin and Irina Arkadina Trevannion Photo: CSC Review by Jenni Balow
PURISTS have argued for decades over the translation of Chekhov's tragic play, but director Chris Chambers has set this Seagull free of all that, with an amusing and sometimes cheeky 21st century adaptation that does it no harm in its Cornish seaside setting.
Anyone interested in the great works of Chekhov will be familiar with the story of a family, friends and lovers, who were thrown together 120 years ago, one destined for greatness, some for inevitable heartbreak, and one for a very sad end indeed.
Surprisingly, Chekhov described the original as a comedy among other things, and in this modern "soap opera" take on the original, Cambridge graduate Chris Chambers simplifies the whole thing.
Simon loves Stella, Stella loves Kit, Kit loves Nina, Nina loves Boris – and he loves both Irina and Nina.
There's plenty to work with there and he reckons there's fun and farce to be had among the tears and tragedy, with a whoopee cushion, arrangements for lunch at The Ivy, mobile phones and Kindle books all playing their part.
It was a bold step to bring this play to The Minack, because there is so little action, and so much depends on smart conversation, things left unsaid, and the passions, the mood, jealousies and frustrations of the characters, which can easily be overwhelmed by the elements.
In fact on Monday, a "first day of summer" gale and driving rain forced the first main season cancellation.
Luckily I saw it coming and sat in on the dress rehearsal a day earlier.
The commitment and emotional depths of the well cast actors, working with a brilliantly written script, was both enthralling and moving.
The imaginative set is cleverly designed once again by Minack regular Jill Wiggy Wilson and the costumes, chosen by Elizabeth Callow, are spot on. And there is a great choice of songs and music ranging from Moonlight Sonata to Doris Day and The Beatles.
This is a seagull that has truly found its freedom in the 21st century.
PURISTS have argued for decades over the translation of Chekhov's tragic play, but director Chris Chambers has set this Seagull free of all that, with an amusing and sometimes cheeky 21st century adaptation that does it no harm in its Cornish seaside setting.
Anyone interested in the great works of Chekhov will be familiar with the story of a family, friends and lovers, who were thrown together 120 years ago, one destined for greatness, some for inevitable heartbreak, and one for a very sad end indeed.
Surprisingly, Chekhov described the original as a comedy among other things, and in this modern "soap opera" take on the original, Cambridge graduate Chris Chambers simplifies the whole thing.
Simon loves Stella, Stella loves Kit, Kit loves Nina, Nina loves Boris – and he loves both Irina and Nina.
There's plenty to work with there and he reckons there's fun and farce to be had among the tears and tragedy, with a whoopee cushion, arrangements for lunch at The Ivy, mobile phones and Kindle books all playing their part.
It was a bold step to bring this play to The Minack, because there is so little action, and so much depends on smart conversation, things left unsaid, and the passions, the mood, jealousies and frustrations of the characters, which can easily be overwhelmed by the elements.
In fact on Monday, a "first day of summer" gale and driving rain forced the first main season cancellation.
Luckily I saw it coming and sat in on the dress rehearsal a day earlier.
The commitment and emotional depths of the well cast actors, working with a brilliantly written script, was both enthralling and moving.
The imaginative set is cleverly designed once again by Minack regular Jill Wiggy Wilson and the costumes, chosen by Elizabeth Callow, are spot on. And there is a great choice of songs and music ranging from Moonlight Sonata to Doris Day and The Beatles.
This is a seagull that has truly found its freedom in the 21st century.
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