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.

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

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

“Superb combination of text, subtext and visual language.”

— John Smythe, Theatreview

“More top-quality Chekhov like this is needed.
”

— Lloyd Evans, The Spectator UK

“
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

Education Resources Click Here

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PRESS & CITATIONS

Toward a Future Theatre: Conversations During a Pandemic by Caridad Svich, Methuen, 2021
“Leaning into Liveness”, Kate Powell, in Playmarket Annual 2020 No. 55
“Auckland Theatre Company’s first online play”, Jesse Mulligan, Radio NZ, May 5, 2020
“Auckland Theatre Company Zooms back into life with Chekhov classic”, Dionne Christian, NZ Herald, May 8, 2020
“Five of the best plays to watch online in the coming days”, Peter Ormerod, The Scotsman, May 21, 2020
“Auckland Theatre Company presents classic play The Seagull over lockdown” Newstalk ZB, May 30, 2020

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