Kanata Theatre Presents The Seagull

Written by Clare Flockton

Kanata Theatre has decided to ring in the new year with an interesting play where the themes of jealousy, ambition, greed and hopelessness are intertwined within its rich text. The play is none other than Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull translated by Tom Stoppard and directed by Kanata Theatre’s Jim Holmes.

The play is set in the beautiful Russian countryside towards the end of the 19th century; on the estate of a former councillor named Peter Sorin, played by Barry Caiger. Within this lovely countryside, heart ache and unrequited love run amok. We have dowdy Masha (played by Andrea Massoud) in love with the struggling artist Konstantin (played by Keenan Viau), who actually is in love with the fame seeking Nina (played by Katie Ryerson), who in turn is in love with the handsome novelist Trigorin (played by Dean Adema), who himself is in love with the self absorbed credited actress Arkadina (played by Bev Brooks) who really is unable of loving anyone but herself. It is a messy net of infatuation and rejected love. Once a sea gull is shot everything starts to unravel and chaos commences.

This is a play about a very common human propensity to want love from someone who is unable to give it. These flawed characters are caught in a catastrophic net of love that arouses both humour and sadness from the audience. There is the wish that time will heal the hurt these characters feel but ultimately time just robs them of their hope and their beauty.

This play is considered to be a tragic comedy because it so successfully shows both sides of the human condition.

Don’t miss your chance to see this emotionally charged play. The Seagull runs from February 5th until February 16th with black out days on Sunday and Monday. Tickets will be $15.00 and curtain is at 8pm sharp. Box office opens Jan 22nd at the Ron Maslin Playhouse, 1 Ron Maslin Way just off Terry Fox Drive. Box-office hours are 5pm-7pm Monday till Friday, 10am – noon on Saturdays. For more information call the box office at 831-4435 or visit our web site at www.kanatatheatre.com