Cate Blanchett and Tom Burke make their return to the stage in Thomas Ostermeier’s new production of Chekhov’s The Seagull for a limited 6 week run at the Barbican Theatre from February 2025.
Who’s in the cast?
Joining the previously announced Cate Blanchett (Arkadina) and Tom Burke (Trigorin) are Priyanga Burford (Polina), Emma Corrin (Nina), Zachary Hart (Medvedenko), Paul Higgins (Shamrayev), Tanya Reynolds (Masha), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Konstantin), and Jason Watkins (Sorin). Further casting and creative team will be announced shortly.
The Seagull marks a return to the Barbican stage for Cate Blanchett following her performance in Botho Strauss’ Big and Small (Gross und Klein), in 2012, adapted by Martin Crimp and directed by Benedict Andrews for Sydney Theatre Company (STC), where Blanchett was co-Artistic Director alongside Andrew Upton. Early in their tenure at STC they welcomed Thomas Ostermeier to the company with his acclaimed production of Hamlet as part of Sydney Festival.
The production reunites Blanchett and Burke who have recently completed filming on Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag; and also reunites Ostermeier with Wessex Grove, who collaborated earlier this year on the director’s West End debut – An Enemy of the People with Matt Smith.
Creative team
A new version of Anton Chekhov‘s The Seagull, by Duncan Macmillan & Thomas Ostermeier. Conceived & Directed by Thomas Ostermeier.
Completing the creative team are Magda Willi (Set Design), Marg Horwell (Costume Design), Tom Gibbons (Sound Design), and Jim Carnahan CSA & Liz Fraser CSA (Casting).
What’s the show about?
Blanchett stars as Arkadina, a celebrated actress whose larger-than-life presence dominates both the stage and her personal relationships. Arriving at her family’s country estate for the weekend, she finds herself caught up in a storm of conflicting desires. Her playwright son, Konstantin, struggles to step out of her shadow as he pursues his own artistic ambitions and her lover Trigorin, played by Tom Burke, becomes the object of affection for the aspiring young actress Nina.
As their lives entwine and they each grapple with their desires, ambitions, and disappointments, Chekhov’s timeless story unfolds in a gripping tale of vanity, power, and the sacrifices made in the name of art.
Assisted performances
TBC
Where can I get tickets?
Audiences are invited to sign up for more information about The Seagull at www.theseagullplay.co.uk
