Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull is considered one of the famous Russian playwright’s greatest works — and it's a fitting end to the 2014-15 season for the Fountain School of Performing Arts’ Theatre season.
"Country boredom is so uniquely and charmingly boring, don't you think?" Left to right: Sorin (Nick Perron), Medviedenko (Kenzie Delo), Arkadina (Morgan Melnyk), Masha (Katerina Bakolias), Nina (Marina Gwynne), and Dorn (Paul Rossiter).
The production’s opening night on Tuesday, March 31 launched with a special pre-show chat with director Tanja Jacobs and special performances from students in the Fountain School. Jacobs, an award winning actress and director, has been a guest teacher, mentor and director at several theatre schools across Canada.
The music was provided by graduating violinist, Artem Kolesov, who performed Paganini’s famous 24th Caprice. The performance was lively, with Artem being received with a standing ovation by the crowd of Fountain School supporters and patrons who attended the pre-show event.
Fountain School fourth-year students Linden Campbell, Flavia Martin, and Katherine Webster also performed at the pre-show event, presenting an excerpt from a later Chekhov play, Three Sisters. The scene captured melancholy and the juxtaposition of great joy and great struggle in a truly wonderful way. Jacobs, who directed this scene as well, spoke to the incredible challenges of working with such juxtaposition, but also the rewards for both her as a director and the students who take on Chekhov’s often challenging roles.
"Is this one of those experimental plays?" From left to right: Nina (Marina Gwynne) performs for Trigorin (Henri Gielis), Medviedenko (Kenzie Delo), Arkadina (Morgan Melnyk), Masha (Katerina Bakolias), Sorin (Nick Perron), Shamraev (Ben Leger), Dorn (Paul Rossiter), and Polina (Kathrine Webster).
The main production that followed, The Seagull, is a delight. Filled with the struggles of aspiring artists, the challenges of being young, the challenges of growing old, and commentary on the state of art, the play has a little something to appeal to everyone. And if all of that sounded too serious for you, don’t worry: the audience spent moments in outright fits of giggles as well.
After the show, co assistant-director, Jodie Robia, noted to me how much she enjoyed working on the play, as well as the adventure she’s had learning from esteemed director Jacobs.
These elements were evident as the production took us through moments of great joy and great depression, like any great Chekhov play should. The Seagull runs through Saturday, April 4 in the Sir James Dunn Theatre. Tickets are available from the .Ìý
"Please, just get me away from here!" Polina (Kathrine Webster) and Dorn (Paul Rossiter)