Pre-show notes
The Seagull – State Theatre
Adelaide Festival - March 2014
Prepared by Eliza Lovell and Meg Wilson
Welcome to this audio introduction to “The Seagull” presented by the State
Theatre Company of South Australia in association with the Adelaide Festival.
Two audio described performances will take place at the State Theatre
Company of South Australia Scenic Workshop, on Saturday 8 th of March at
3.00pm and Tuesday 11th March at 6.00pm. There will be a touch tour for one
hour before the show. The introductory notes will begin fifteen minutes before
the show commences.
The play lasts approximately one and a half hours with a twenty minute
interval. The live audio description will be given by Eliza Lovell and Meg
Wilson.
There now follows information about The Seagull, including a description of
the set, characters, costumes and production credits. This will be followed by
access information for the State Theatre Company Scenic Workshop.
The Seagull was written by Anton Checkov in the 1895 - this production has
been adapted by Hilary Bell.
The State Theatre Company Scenic workshop area is underneath ground
level of the Adelaide Festival Centre. (Further access details follow at the end
of this track). The State Theatre Company Scenic Workshop is a large,
cavernous room with very high ceilings – approximately 20 meters high.
The stage area is traverse – A traverse stage is often rectangular in shape,
resembling a corridor or an alley – the audience sits on two sides of the stage,
facing each other.
The far left wall of the workshop is filled with large shelves which contain
wooden folding deck chairs, whicker and wooden trunks and a collection of
Bentwood chairs and various props which are used throughout the production.
The colour palette is subdued and dank with various shades of grey and
brown.
To the left of the playing area is a small raised landing with weathered, silver
grey wooden floorboards – hanging above it is a deep reddish brown shower
curtain on a rope strung across it’s edge – this is where Konstantin’s play is
performed. The landing area is also used as a jetty. There are stairs on either
side of the jetty, leading offstage – one to the township and the other to the
lake which sits at the front of the house. The large workshop sliding doors
behind this playing area, when open, beam with a mottled, hazy white light
suggesting the cool outside air and the shimmering, foggy, misty lake in the
distance.
Two small steps extending the length of the landing area lead to a sunken
light coloured timber parquetry floor approximately 15 meters in length –
coming to a small step to another stage landing area mirroring the one to the
left. This landing area is used as a dining room and from here, actors come
and go from a small set of stairs. The stairs lead to an offstage but visible,
dimly lit cloister of seats, a table and a piano. Here, the actors watch the
performance and can be seen from the audience – this space is also used as
the kitchen area for the household.
Along the far right wall of the workshop is another ceiling to floor sliding door
and on the wall next to the door is a grid of lights which beam onto the playing
area. Extending above the entire playing area are 33 large black domed
industrial style lights.
During the course of the play the actors are responsible for set changes
between scenes – they move folding chairs, Persian rugs, wooden bench
seats, a writing desk, pouffe and a card table. Often they perform the visible
mechanics of theatrical imagery, for example they throw confetti over their
heads when it’s snowing outside or follow a character with a small hose which
sprays water over their head as if it is raining.
Characters and Costumes
The cast includes ten performers (six men and four women).
Arkadina is played by Rosalba Clemente, Arkadina is a middle-aged woman
with dark facial features and shoulder length dark hair worn in a well-groomed
bob. She is a renowned actress, and though still beautiful, she is well past her
prime. This does not distract her from always trying to look her best. She is a
voluptuous woman and uses her best features to her advantage. She wears
deep red lipstick, deep red dresses of high quality fabrics such as silks and
velvets, with slightly plunging necklines, full skirts and lace fringed petticoats.
She always wears dainty heels and often adorns herself with ladies’ gloves, a
patent black leather handbag, gold earrings and a simple string of pearls. She
mingles with the aristocracy and the artistic elite. She is a dramatic character,
who demands the spotlight. She is loud, excessively vain and often
obnoxious. Though, she can quickly switch from being cold and uninterested,
to needy and somewhat compassionate.
Konstantin is played by Xavier Samuel, Konstantin is Arkadina’s son. In his
twenties, he is of medium build and stature and is a handsome man. He is
cleanly shaven with dark features and brown scruffy hair. He is a struggling
playwright, desperate to earn the approval of his actress mother, though also
wanting to prove himself as an independent success. He is an anxious
character, who is often crushed by the immense pressure he places himself
under. In the first half, his dress is slightly untidy. He wears slacks that are too
big, his white cotton shirt is unbuttoned revealing his singlet and the cuffs of
his sleeves poke out the end of his blazer, covering his hands. His medium
blue blazer is faded, worn at the edges and has holes at the elbows. His
brown lace-up boots are scuffed. Later, he dresses with prestige. His hair is
slick, and he wears tailored suit pants and vest.
Sorin is played by Paul Blackwell, Sorin is Arkadina’s brother. In his sixties,
Sorin is quite unlike his sister. He is balding, with a full, greying beard. He is
frail and walks with a slight limp, with the assistance of a cane. He often looks
ungroomed, though he does take care to dress neatly. He wears gold-rimmed
spectacles and a light coloured suit, with wide slacks and braces. His tan
shoes are slightly scuffed. Sorin is a generous and gentle man who cares and
provides for his family and guests – though he also likes to poke fun at
people. He lives a quiet and sensible life, which he finds dissatisfying.
Nina is played by Lucy Fry, Nina is in her twenties and is a beautiful young
woman with a slim build and long light brown hair, which she sometimes ties
in a bow. She is the ‘girl next door’, whom Konstantin has fallen for. She
wears playful Spring and Summer dresses with roman sandals. Her dresses
draw in at the waist and have floaty, weightless calf-length skirts. The cotton
fabrics are striped with reds or blues and are patterned with trains of delicate
flowers. Nina is a dreamer, who longs to be a professional actress.
Shamrayev is played by Chris Pitman, Shamrayev is the manager of Sorin’s
farm. He is middle-aged, tall and has a stocky build. He has light, greying hair
and wears a mutton-chops moustache. He wears a navy peasant cap, with a
collarless shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbow, and grey pants held up with
braces and tucked unevenly into knee-length slouchy leather work boots. He
is a simple fellow, who works hard and likes to tell a story. He panders to the
wishes and flattery of Arkadina, in admiration for her fame. This is unless it is
a request for the use of his beloved horses, which he controls and guards
ceaselessly. He can be a hard man who won’t budge on a decision once it’s
made.
Polina is played by Lizzy Falkland, Polina is Shamrayev’s wife – and she
dresses like a peasant’s wife. She wears a dull grey head scarf, her long hair
bundled up underneath. She wears a straight, simple, ankle-length check skirt
of black and dark green. Her shirt is a simple white collared short-sleeve shirt,
which she wears neatly tucked into her long skirt. She wears heavy, black
lace-up boots with no socks. She is tall and very thin and seeks comfort and
warmth from a grey shawl which she often pulls tightly around her shoulders.
She is plain in comparison to Arkadina, whom her husband adores. Polina is
embarrassed by her husband and longs for a better life.
Masha is played by Matilda Bailey, Masha is a pretty young woman in her
twenties – though her beauty is plain in comparison to Nina. She has fair skin
and long, light brown hair, which she wears in a plait or tied up in a low bun.
Masha is the daughter of Shamrayev and Polina. She detests her life and
everyone around her – aside from Konstantin, whom she is desperately in
love with. Due to her dislike for people and life in general, Masha is in a
constant state of mourning. She wears only black – black heavy boots (which
she stomps around in), and a black dress which buttons up to the neck and
reaches her ankles. For a brief change from all black, Masha wears a black
pinafore dress with a grey shirt underneath.
Trigorin is played by Renato Musolino, Trigorin is a handsome middle-aged
man of medium height and build, with dark short-cropped dark hair, olive skin
and dark features. He is a guest to Sorin’s farm and is Arkadina’s lover. He is
an esteemed writer and forms part of the creative aristocracy with which
Arkadina associates. He dresses sharply in tailored suits, complete with tie
and jacket – even his holiday attire is an early 20th Century, light linen ‘leisure’
suit – with wide-leg slacks with pressed cuffs and pleats down the front. His
appearance is immaculate – even his tan leather shoes are polished to a
shine.
Dorn is played by Terence Crawford, Dorn is a middle-aged doctor and
obstetrician/gynaecologist. A handsome older man, he was quite the ladies’
man back in his youth. He is a tall, slim man for his age. He has dark, greying
hair and a beard, and nearly always wears a brown flat cap. He wears simple
brown, wide-leg slacks, with braces and a white shirt with his sleeves rolled
up. He has a friendly, gentle nature, and is considered a father-like figure by
some of the other characters.
Medvedenko is played by Matthew Gregan, Medvedenko is a young man in
his twenties. He has quite a weedy frame. He is a quiet man who often lingers
in the background. He has a love for Masha, who doesn’t reciprocate his
feelings and sentiments. He has medium length, light brown hair, which he
wears slick – parted at the side. He also wears gold-rimmed spectacles. His
dress is simple, yet neat. Like some of the other men, he wears brown wideleg slacks, a shirt with the sleeves rolled up, braces and brown leather boots.
He also wears a bowtie, which makes him appear sweet and innocent. He is a
local school teacher, who though poor, looks after his family financially. He is
a seemingly weak character, taken advantage of by many of the other
characters. He plays the Ukelele.
Creative Credits
Writer: Anton Chekhov
Adaptation by: Hilary Bell
Director: Geordie Brookman
Assistant Director – Nescha Jelk
Set and Lights: Geoff Cobham
Costume Designer: Ailsa Paterson
Composer/Musician: Matthew Gregan
Sound – Jason Sweeney
Access Information
The State Theatre Scenic Workshop
The State Theatre Scenic Workshop is below street level at the Adelaide
Festival Centre. Please meet at the Space Theatre foyer and Front of House
staff will escort you through to the venue.
Public Transport:
The Playhouse Theatre is located in The Adelaide Festival Centre.
The Adelaide Festival Centre is a short walk from the Adelaide Railway
Station. You can also catch the Tram from Glenelg or Adelaide Entertainment
Centre and alight at a stop on North Terrace.
Parking:
There is parking available on Festival Drive - you can enter off King William
Road. The car park is equipped with a lift and ramps, which are accessible
from all car park spaces. To pre-book your disability space please call BASS
on 131 246. Bookings must be made no later than 12 noon the day before the
park is required or by Friday 12 noon for a weekend car park.
Drop Off Point:
You can be dropped off at the Dunstan Playhouse & Space Theatre Entrance
on Festival Drive - enter from King William Road.
Accessible seating: Seating will be reserved for patrons using audio
description equipment.
Accessible toilets: Available in the Dunstan Playhouse Foyer
Bar Location(s): Bars are located in the Space Foyer, Dunstan Playhouse
Foyer & Bistro.
Please enquire at the Drama Centre Information Desk, located in the
Playhouse foyer for lift access to The Bistro.
If you would like to know about Access2Arts you can contact Gaelle Mellis at
A2A on: gaelle@access2arts.org.au
This document has been prepared by Eliza Lovell and Meg Wilson for
Access2Arts and is correct at the time of recording in March 2014.