Seagulls @ Volcano, EdFringe & Scenofest 2017

Russian misery has never been this much fun!

A young girl has lived all her life by a lake. Like a seagull, she loves the lake, and she’s happy and free. But a man comes along and wrecks her life for want of anything better to do.

Five lost souls climb walls and swing on ropes, fall in and out of love, dance to a sensational soundtrack, play games, get wet and fight duels. An impossibly sad, unreasonably funny and ludicrously inventive version of a temperamental Russian classic.

A reimagining of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull.

Seagulls was first produced in May 2015 at Volcano Theatre’s home in Swansea, South Wales. It later appeared at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe, in Volcano’s independent pop-up venue The Leith Volcano, a disused church, where it sold out for the three-week run, including extra added performances. While in Edinburgh, it was part of the British Council Showcase and the Wales in Edinburgh portfolio.

The show also appeared in Scenofest at World Stage Design 2017 (supported by Wales Arts International).

CAST

Dorn - Gethin Alderman

Arkadina - Mairi Phillips

Konstantin - Christopher Elson

Nina - Joanna Simpkins (2015)/Elin Phillips (2017)

Trigorin - Neal McWilliams

Creatives

Directed by Paul Davies

Lighting: Ben Stimpson

Original Design: Camilla Clarke

Movement Director: Catherine Bennett

Costume: Zepur Agopyan

Set Construction: Eifion Porter

Press Reviews:

★★★★★

“In Seagulls, visuals are everything. And the visuals are absolutely breathtaking…

Each company member produces a spellbinding performance that fully carries both the tragedy and comedy intrinsic to the delivery of this show. As I left the space I overheard one audience member remark “that’s what you go to the Fringe for.” and I have to say, I couldn’t agree more.”

Broadway Baby

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★★★★

“[T]he kind of Fringe experience that takes you to an amazing Edinburgh bullding you’ve never seem before, grabs the place and the moment by the throat, and uses it to shake the bejasus out of some previously revered text.”

The Scotsman

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★★★★

“While the venue is the star of this site-specific piece, the cast could certainly carry it in a more conventional space. Each exudes a wealth of personality and adds nuance to the archetype they've taken on.

The remaining dates of the play have all sold out. With only a lucky few set to see it, let it be known to the cynics that Seagulls was a resounding artistic success.”

FEST

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“Volcano’s astonishing, visceral interpretation of Chekhov’s classic play captures the sense of disillusionment that pervades the text whilst offering a powerful, physically inventive adaptation of its key themes and ideas.

Completing the cast is Gethin Alderman as Dr Dorn, a powerfully muscular presence who barks out some of his lines in Russian and observes the romantic mishaps with wry detachment.

What the great man himself would have made of it is anyone’s guess, but I hope, like me, he would have found its sheer theatrical audacity and visual beauty a joy to watch.”

Buzz Magazine

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“The ensemble cast is particularly strong.

The production is completely strange and beautiful…Volcano’s interpretation is fresh and full of energy. A fantastic re-imagining of the original play, this company is certainly capable of injecting life into classic texts.”

Wales Arts Review

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“All actors were captivating..Volcano have made me love a play I hated.”

Elen Lewis - Art Scene in Wales

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“It is a show both spectacular and odd – and, as far as Fringe experiences and Fringe theatre go, I cannot recommend seeing it highly enough…The acting and direction are, in general, stunning…This production is the epitome of what the Edinburgh Fringe should be about.”

Theatre Bubble

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Audience comments:

"Well, that was a trip in every sense, & one worth making. Fab venue, & such invention & energy. Senses in recovery." @joannaridout

@joannaridout

"#Seagulls by @VolcanoUK is as Fringey as you can get. And I mean that in the best possible breathtakingly brilliant way. Loved it. #edfringe"

@cmfwood

"@VolcanoUK Just saw the Fringe-iest Fringe Show in the whole of the Festival Fringe #seagulls #FABULOUS #MustSee #madasaboxoffrogs"

@beshabar

"I'm not kind to inept adaptations of Russian stuff, so know that my enjoyment of #Seagulls @VolcanoUK was tinged with relief. Excellent."

@francesaacanty

"@VolcanoUK It's rare to live in London and feel like you are missing out on seeing theatre but The Seagull at Bunker sounds amazing”

@1HarrisonRose

"Go see ‪#Seagulls ‪@VolcanoUK. I'm in creative awe after watching last nights performance. Beautiful, bold and brave."

@little_llew

"Back from ‪@VolcanoUK's Seagulls. Bold. Audacious. Riveting. Explosive. Exuberant. Watch if you can. Great theatre."

@ZGoodacre

"#Seagulls‪ by @VolcanoUK - Best. Duel. Ever. 'tis how I shall now settle all arguments. GREAT version of a play I've always hated before!"

@Hunymwadu