“The Crown” star Emma Corrin and “The Power of the Dog” breakout Kodi Smit-McPhee have joined Cate Blanchett in a new West End adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull.”
Corrin will play young actress Nina, while Smit-McPhee will portray Konstantin, the son of Blanchett’s Arkadina. Tom Burke was previously announced as Trigorin, Arkadina’s love interest. Other newly announced cast members include Priyanga Burford (Polina), Zachary Hart (Medvedenko), Paul Higgins (Shamrayev), Tanya Reynolds (Masha) and Jason Watkins (Sorin).
The plays official synopsis reads: “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 (Smit-McPhee), struggles to step out of her shadow as he pursues his own artistic ambitions and her lover Trigorin (Burke), becomes the object of affection for the aspiring young actress Nina (Corrin). 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.”
“The Seagull” has also set a limited six-week run at London’s Barbican Theatre, with previews beginning Feb. 26, 2025 and opening night on March 6. The production will close April 5. According to a press release, tickets start at £20 and over 100 tickets will be available at that price for each performance. Tickets go on sale Oct. 7 and 8 for patrons and Barbican members, and Oct. 9 for the general public. More information can be found on the play’s website.
The adaptation was penned by Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier, with Ostermeier also directing. It hails from Wessex Grove and Gavin Kalin Productions. The creative team includes Magda Willi (set design), Marg Horwell (costume design), Tom Gibbons (sound design) as well as Jim Carnahan CSA and Liz Fraser CSA (casting).