Chekhov Studio, a prominent theatre from Russia staged their popular theatrical production ‘Chekov O Gangchil’ (The Seagull) on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Segun Bagicha in the capital on Thursday.
Consists of four acts, the play ‘The Seagull’, which was written by Chekhov in 1895, is an open-air setting. The undercurrent focus in these acts is at the time. However, the fourth act shifts to a space inside a theatre building and the time-frame also shifts to early 21st century.
Directed by Vladimir Baicher, the play has been produced by Alexey Litvinov and designed by Vladimir Anshon. The cast of the play includes Alexandr Gryaznov, Leonid Kabargin, Vladimir Simonov, Sergey Bychkov, Boris Dyrchikov, Elena Simonova and others.
The first act of the play started at Nandan Mancha. Then, the director with the casts and audience moved to the National Theatre Hall of BSA where the other acts were staged.
The setting of the play is in the park of Peter Sorin’s estate. Sorin’s nephew Konstantin premiers his play starring the beautiful neighbor girl Nina. Sorin’s famous sister and Konstantin’s mother, Arkadina and her lover Trigorin, a famous writer, both attend the performance. However, spiteful Arkadina undermines the performance, which upsets her son Konstantin. He is distraught because he failed in front of Nina, whom he loves. A few days later, Nina is no longer in love with Konstantin. Now she is attracted to Trigorin, and to the fury of Arkadina, the attraction is mutual. Feeling insecure, Arkadina decided to leave for Moscow with her lover. Nina indirectly declares her love for Trigorin, who responds warmly. Before leaving, Trigorin promises to see Nina in Moscow. Two years later, Konstantin still lives at the estate with his uncle, but is now a published author. He recounts how Nina’s relationship with Trigorin ended after he abandoned her. Arkadina and Trigorin drop in to visit Sorin. While the others socialize, Konstantin receives a visit from Nina, now a failure and ill. Konstantin begs her to stay with him, but Nina, still in love with Trigorin, rejects him. After she leaves, Konstantin shoots himself.
Before staging the play, Cultural affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor inaugurate the event as chief guest at the BSA’s Nandan Mancha, where Ambassador of Russia to Bangladesh Alexander I Ignatov, Artistic Dean of Russian University of Theatre Arts and Director of the Chekhov Studio Theatre Vladimir Grigorievich Baicher were present as special guests.
Preside over by Secretary Ibrahim Hossain Khan, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky and coordinator of the programme Dr M Israfil Shaheen delivered the welcome speech.
Besides, the troupe arranged a three-day workshop on February 7, 8 and 10. l