The Seagull at Harold Pinter Theatre

Chekhov’s The Seagull is a demanding play for its actors: the tension-laden interpersonal relationships are as complicated to navigate as are the giant personalities that frequently feel more real than life. This version at the Harold Pinter Theatre is blessed with a standout cast that dominates the stage throughout the entire runtime, making it a joy to watch.

Unfortunately the production itself leaves things to be desired. The set attempts to emphasise the claustrophobia of the setting by delivering merely a wooden box within which the entire action takes place; aside from that, each character gets a chair, on which the actors largely sit and deliver their lines. It’s an interesting idea, but it lacks movement: at times it does feel very passive. Thankfully the cast is strong enough to counteract this, but it is still notable. 

Added to this, each performer is equipped with a microphone, rather than letting their voices carry in the small auditorium – not that it distorts their voices per se, but it does artificially augment and dislocate the sound, and thereby build another barrier between the performance and the audience.

But, despite these complications, the play is saved by an immensely entertaining performance by the artists on-stage. Emilia Clarke as Nina – the desperate would-be actress whose dashed dreams feel particularly poignant in our social media-infected lives – is of course the biggest draw, and delivers a spectacular West End debut with heartfelt subtlety in a moving delivery. She has fantastic chemistry with Daniel Monks, as Konstantin, whose brooding and suffering feels just as strong now as it did in Chekhov’s time. Finally, Indira Varma’s Arkadina impresses with a wonderfully down-to-earth and tongue-in-cheek portrayal that is engaging whenever she speaks her lines.

As such, Jamie Lloyd’s The Seagull is a mixed blessing. Some decisions might not be to everyone’s taste, but its cast is mesmerising throughout as a result, promising a lovely evening for all audiences.

Michael Higgs

The Seagull is at Harold Pinter Theatre from 29^th June until 10^th September 2022. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.