The Seagull, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

---

Culture Whisper says: ★★★

Below is our preview, giving background information about the show.

---

On a balmy summer's evening there's nowhere more magical than the twinkling hideaway of London's biggest open air theatre. And it's not just the setting that enchants: the theatre has a string of sellout successes under its belt and this upcoming summer season promises to be just as innovative, with an updated version of Chekhov's classic, The Seagull.
About The Seagull: drama on and off stage
When budding playwright Konstantin invited his extended family to the lakeside of their country estate one summer's evening to watch his latest work, a web of romantic and artistic conflicts ensues. This play-within-a-play is ridiculed by Konstatin's mother, actress and socialite Irina Arkadina.The timeless tragicomedy reveals a family haunted by unhappiness and unrequited love of Shakesperian proportions. 
Torben Betts, playwright
This new translation is by Torben Betts. Known for domestic comedies with a dose of darkness, Betts will undoubtedly find fertile territory with Chekhov's original. Though having written over 14 acclaimed plays, Betts has stayed rather under the radar. Then his play Invincible bagged a West End transfer, was nominated for Best New Play and prompted theatre critic Michael Billington to say that the playwright "should be a bigger name." This may well be the show to make that happen.
Matthew Dunster, director
Matthew Dunster will direct, returning to the Open Air Theatre after the success of his 2012 gypsy-style A Midsummer Night’s Dream; a version the Evening Standard found “consistently inventive.” We are excited to see how the parallels between the alfresco play of the plot and the outdoor setting of this production are handled; there is certainly scope for some illuminating meta-theatre.
The Seagull: cast
Matriarch Irina will be played by stage regular Janie Dee, who'll be returning to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre after successful stints in Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. Dee won two Best Actress Awards for the smash hit run of Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential, an Olivier for Carosuel (National Theatre) and will be coming fresh from the Young Vic's revival of Ah! Wilderness. Young aspiring actress Nina will be played by Sabrina Bartlett, who is currently on screens in the BBC drama Poldark.