Review: The Seagull at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

The Seagull
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 24th June 2015
★★★★

Marking the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s iconic play, Torben Betts' newly commissioned adaptation of The Seagull works a treat. Betts hasn't attempted to overly modernise the play, his adaptation moves forwardly swiftly (particularly during the first act). Thankfully there is a lot of humour, without which The Seagull would be an utterly depressing experience.

Production images released for Open Air Theatre's The Seagull starring Janie Dee

Production images have been released for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Directed by Matthew Dunster, The Seagull opens tonight (24th June) and runs until 11th July. Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, the Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s original play.

Janie Dee stars as Irina Arkadina alongside Sabrina Bartlett as Nina and Matthew Tennyson as Konstantin. The cast also includes Tara D’Arquian as Natasha, Lisa Diveney as Masha, Tom Greaves as Yakov, Colin Hoult as Simon Medviedenko, Fraser James as Ilia Shamraev, Lisa Palfrey as Paulina Andreevna, Ian Redford as Peter Sorin, Alex Robertson as Boris Trigorin and Danny Webb as Eugene Dorn.

Rehearsal images released for Open Air Theatre's The Seagull starring Janie Dee

Rehearsal images have been released for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Directed by Matthew Dunster, The Seagull opens on 24th June (previews from 19th June) and runs until 11th July. Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, the Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s original play.

Full casting announced for The Seagull at the Open Air Theatre

Full casting has been announced for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, which begins rehearsals today (11th May). 

Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s original play. 

The Seagull opens on 24th June (previews from 19th June) and runs until 11th July 2015. As previously announced Janie Dee will star as Irina Arkadina with Sabrina Bartlett as Nina and Matthew Tennyson as Konstantin. 

They will be joined by Tara D’Arquian as Natasha, Lisa Diveney as Masha, Tom Greaves as Yakov, Colin Hoult as Simon Medviedenko, Fraser James as Ilia Shamraev, Lisa Palfrey as Paulina Andreevna, Ian Redford as Peter Sorin, Alex Robertson as Boris Trigorin and Danny Webb as Eugene Dorn.

First casting announced for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2015 season

Casting for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2015 production of J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan has today been announced, with lead casting for The Seagull and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers also confirmed. The season opens for previews on 15th May.

Peter Pan

Hiran Abeysekera will play the title role alongside David Birrell as Captain Hook, who returns to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre following roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ragtime.

Also returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will be Beverly Rudd (Smee) and George Bukhari (Nibs). Peter Pan will run from 15th May – 14th June.

Further casting includes Kae Alexander (Wendy), Patrick Osborne (John), Thomas Dennis (Michael), Rachel Donovan (Tinker Bell), Eben Figueiredo (Tootles), Thomas Pickles (Slighty), Richard James-Neale (Curly), Jacob James Beswick & Chris Lew Kum Hoi (Twins) and Carl Prekopp (Gentleman Starkey).

The cast is completed by: Okorie Chukwu, Owain Gwynn, Jonathan Holby and Arthur Kyeyune (Pirates), Melanie Pappenheim, Daniel Bradley, Candida Caldicot, Zands Duggan & Tamara Young (Musicians) and Joe Swain (Show Climber).