Lucy Fry and Xavier Samuel. Image by Shane Reid.
The State Theatre Company of South Australia’s contribution to the Adelaide Festival is an enjoyable production of Anton Chekhov’s 1895 classic, The Seagull, ably directed by STCSA Artistic Director, Geordie Brookman, from an adaptation by Hilary Bell.
Arkadina (Rosalba Clemente), a famous actress, is holidaying with her novelist lover Trigorin (Renato Musolino) at the estate of her brother, Sorin (Paul Blackwell). One night by the estate’s lake, Arkadina’s son Konstantin (Xavier Samuel) stages his unconventional play performed by Nina (Lucy Fry), the daughter of a wealthy neighbour and Masha (Matilda Bailey), the daughter of Sorin’s estate manager. His mother mocks the play, Konstantin storms off and various love triangles that dominate the play are revealed; schoolteacher Medvedenko (Matthew Gregan) loves Masha, who in turn loves Konstantin, who loves Nina, who is about to fall in love, just not with Konstantin.
Geoff Cobham’s set makes good use of the State Theatre Company Scenic Workshop where the play is performed. A narrow, simple, split-level parquetry catwalk forms a stage splitting the audience into two opposing bleachers.
Because three acts are performed before the interval (and only one after), the first half feels too long. Inexcusably, an overlong, overacted, unnecessary and relatively uninteresting opening scene, where a bored Masha loudly sets up deck chairs, adds to this length. The positioning of the interval and the brevity of the performance post-interval arguably weakens the dramatic intensity of Act Four.
Flinders University Drama Centre graduate, Xavier Samuel, in his first production with STCSA since 2006 (Two Weeks With the Queen), is excellent as aspiring writer Konstantin. Better known for his role as Riley Biers in the Twilight movie Eclipse, Samuel’s portrayal of Konstantin despairing of his mother’s cruelty and his unrequited love for Nina is utterly convincing.
Former STCSA Artistic Director, Rosalba Clemente, plays Konstantin’s insecure and self-centred mother with formidable energy and skill, ably abetted by Ailsa Paterson’s apt costuming.
Lucy Fry, as the ingénue Nina, is more successful in portraying the innocent Nina of the first three acts than the experienced and fragile Nina of Act Four. Terence Crawford delivers a strong performance as Dorn, a doctor and family friend who encourages Kostantin’s writing, and an avuncular Paul Blackwell is, as always, convincing and engaging as the ailing Sorin.
Matthew Gregan’s musical contributions on ukulele and piano, which include some original compositions as well as the blues classic, ‘Ain’t Nobody’s Business’, capably evokes the rustic lakeside setting of the play.
Hilary Bell’s adaptation maintains the late 19th-century, rural, Russian setting, but successfully modernizes the language without anachronism.
The production has many fine elements that combine to make a classic of Russian theatre relatable for a modern audience.
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars
The Seagull
State Theatre Company of South Australa
Writer: Anton Chekhov
In a new adaptation by Hilary Bell
Director: Geordie Brookman
Set and Lights: Geoff Cobham
Costume Designer: Ailsa Paterson
Composer/Musician: Matthew Gregan
Cast: Matilda Bailey, Paul Blackwell, Rosalba Clemente, Terence Crawford, Lizzy Falkland, Lucy Fry, Matthew Gregan, Renato Musolino, Chris Pitman and Xavier Samuel
State Theatre Company of South Australia Scenic Workshop, Festival Drive
Adelaide Festival
www.adelaidefestival.com.au
21 February – 16 March
