
[seagull]
UK PREMIERE[seagull]
UK PREMIERE
Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull takes on new meaning in a Flemish Sign Language reimagining.
Over a weekend in a country estate, Arkadina, a celebrated actress, and her playwright son, Konstantin, pursue their artistic and romantic ambitions amidst a complex web of melodramatic characters, generational differences and fatal misunderstandings.
Belgian company Olympique Dramatique brings together a cast of deaf and hearing actors to reimagine Chekhov's story; some have signed since birth, while others are beginners. Exploring the inner turmoil when understanding and communication prove impossible, this production deftly challenges preconceived ideas about language.
This UK premiere follows a critically acclaimed European tour, including the Dutch Theatre Festival, whose selection committee declared: ‘seldom has Chekhov had such an invigorating and multifaceted reinterpretation’. Championing actor-led direction, Olympique Dramatique reveals new depths to this iconic tragicomedy.
Supported by
Programme
Performed in Flemish Sign Language with creative captions in English
Cast & Creative Team
CloseOpen
- KonstantinYana Wuytjens
- NinaYousra Boukantar
- MedvedenkoTom Dewispelaere
- Masja (also Sjamrajev)Lobke Leirens
- ArkadinaSofie Decleir
- TrigorinSerge Vlerick
- DornWilly Thomas
- PolinaLut Reysen
Production & Creative TeamCloseOpen
- Toneelhuis
- Olympique Dramatique
- Anton ChekhovAfter
- Stijn Van OpstalDirector
- Stijn Van Opstal, Scarlet Tummers, Tom Dewispelaere, Francis GeeraertAdaptation (with thanks to Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer)
- Diane Boonen, Sam Verstraete & Hilde Verhelst e.a.Translators
- Scarlet TummersDramaturg
- Damiaan De Schrijver & Stijn Van OpstalSet Designers
- Frank HardyLighting Designer
- Monique Van HasselCostume Designer
CreditsCloseOpen
- theater arsenaal Co-producers
with the support of Silence Radio, Doof Vlaanderen, doof&events, Vlaams GebarentaalCentrum (VGTC), KU Leuven Campus Antwerpen (Toegepaste Taalkunde), Nationale Loterij, Literatuur Vlaanderen, Koning Boudewijnstichting, Tax Shelter measure of the Belgian federal government via LOOK@LEO
Dive Deeper
Listen to The Warm Up: your audio introduction to the performance.
Scarlet Tummers on Toneelhuis's unique production
Image gallery
A gallery carousel of 5 items

The Seagull
© Credit : KVDE BE
The Seagull
© Credit : KVDE BE
The Seagull
© Credit : KVDE BE
The Seagull
© Credit : KVDE BE
The Seagull
© Credit : KVDE BEDates & Times
Photo: The Seagull
© KVDE BE


