Chekhov’s The Seagull, a new online version by Eli Kent and Eleanor Bishop, directed by Eleanor Bishop brings a landmark piece of theatre to the 21st century. Presented by Auckland Theatre Company.
Delivered in 30 minute installments over four weeks from Friday 8 May, Chekhov’s famous characters are reimagined with a Kiwi twist and congregate over Zoom. In a direct commentary of our world in lockdown, the characters are still searching for meaning in their lives while battling love, jealousy, dissatisfaction, dreams, hopes and plans – not to mention malfunctioning video calls! This drama all plays out in self-isolation and over virtual interactions with each other.
Eleanor Bishop, who has been referred to as “one of New Zealand’s most daring, intelligent, and political directors”, works across theatre and opera. Her work weaves classical material with documentary forms such as found text and filmed interviews, and it often features video and projection. Currently working between New Zealand and the United States, Bishop’s recent work includes Jane Doe, a participatory show about rape culture, first created at Carnegie Mellon and touring college campuses. She holds an MFA in Directing from Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama.