The Seagull

The Seagull, (Russian: Чайка, Chayka) is a play by Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)[1].

The original text

Written as Чайка (Chayka in the Roman alphabet) in 1895, it was first produced at the Alexandrinsky Theatre, St Petersburg in 1896, but failed . Revived and a success when performed by the Moscow Art Theatre a while later. It is generally considered to be the first of his four major plays.

Translations and adaptations

Widely translated and adapted for the stage, Film and TV, the play has had a vast influence on world theatre.

Translated into English as The Seagull by Elisaveta Fen.

South African stage versions

Translated into Afrikaans as Die Seemeeu by André P. Brink. Published by Human & Rousseau, c1972 as Die seemeeu : 'n komedie in vier bedrywe

See also Die Eend ("The Duck"), an Afrikaans adaptation by Charles Fourie and Reza de Wet's English play On the Lake, inspired by the Chekhov work.

South African film & TV versions

Die Seemeeu (2018): Adapted as an Afrikaans film by Christiaan Olwagen and Saartjie Botha, and transposed to South Africa in the 1990's. The film was directed by Christiaan Olwagen, with a cast that includes Sandra Prinsloo (Irene), Marius Weyers (Piet), Albert Pretorius (Konstant), Rolanda Marais(Nina), Cintaine Schutte (Masha), Gerben Kamper (Dr. Eugene), Deon Lotz (Elias), Martelize Kolver (Paulina), Geon Nel (Simon) and Alyzzander Fourie (Boors). The film's music composed by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.

Performance history in South Africa

The play has been performed numerous times in South Africa, in translation and in adapted form.

Performances in English translation

First South African performance in 19** by **.

1931: This was the play used for the opening performance in the Little Theatre, Cape Town, presented by the Little Theatre Players, directed by Arthur Sewell with students and staff of the South African College of Music on 18 August 1931.

1941: Performed by The Johannesburg Reps starring Taubie Kushlick.

1945: Performed at the Standard Theatre, Johannesburg. Produced by Margaret Lassner for the Johannesburg Repertory Society, with Taubie Kushlick, Rognvald Gibsen, David Goldblatt, Christina Jaures, Fred Loehnen, Jocelyn de Bruyn, Norman Torry.

1968: Presented by the Little Theatre Players at the Little Theatre, Cape Town, in November, directed by Rosalie van der Gucht.

1976: Performed by The Company, directed by Barney Simon, for the “unofficial opening” of the Market Theatre on 21 June (using the small theatre Upstairs at the Market), with Erica Rogers, Vanessa Cooke, Sandra Prinsloo, Bill Brewer, Marius Weyers, Danny Keogh, Lindsay Reardon and Bess Finney.