A new staging of one of the greatest plays of the modern era, The Seagull, visits the Theatre Royal Bath next week.
Blanche McIntyre directs John Donnelly's searing version of Chekhov's play about unrequited love in a co-production with Headlong and The Nuffield, Southampton
By the side of a lake on a beautiful country estate a distinguished party has gathered. The company includes the successful novelist Trigorin, the celebrated actress Arkadina, her troubled son Konstantin, and his young admirer Nina.
The restless tension which runs through the lives of Chekhov's characters is given theatrical life in the world designer Laura Hopkins has created, which reflects the shifting emotional landscape of each character who inhabits the space.
John Donnelly's dynamic and modern adaptation of Chekhov's first great play shows a world on stage, riven with hopeless love and dreams of success. Raw, beautiful and darkly comic, The Seagull explores emotion, creativity and romantic conflict with the clarity of a doctor and the heart of a poet.
Abigail Cruttenden plays the role of Arkadina.
Well-known for her many screen roles, she recently played Kate Weedon in ITV's award-winning comedy series Benidorm. She has also appeared in The Robinsons, Charlotte Gray, Foyle's War, Rosemary and Thyme, Anna Karenina, Monarch of The Glen and Hideous Kinky.
Her previous performances at the Theatre Royal Bath include You Never Can Tell in 1987, Hayfever in 1992, and in 1991 Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard.
Catherine Cusack appears as Polina. Her extensive stage credits include Our Lady of Sligo for the National Theatre, which toured to the Theatre Royal Bath in 1998.
Colin Haigh plays the role of Sorin, and returns to the Theatre Royal after playing Bath previously in six productions including, most recently, The Jew of Malta in 1999 and The Seagull in 1997.
David Beames appears as Dorn. He recently performed in Chariots of Fire in the West End. David's previous performances at the Theatre Royal Bath include Our Country's Good in 1998, Festen in 2006 and Pride & Prejudice in 2009.
The role of Trigorin is played by Gyuri Sarossy, whose stage credits include Headlong's Earthquakes in London, which played Bath in 2011.
Tickets are available at the Theatre Royal Bath box office on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk
This week we have a pair of ticket to give away to watch The Seagull next Tuesday. Just answer the following question, put your answer on a postcard with your name and telephone number and send it to The Seagull Competition, The Bath Chronicle, Westpoint, James Street West, Bath BA1 2DA.
The first correct answer out of the hat on Monday will get the tickets.
The question is: who wrote The Seagull?
