Anton Chekhov
SEAGULL
The State Small Theatre of Vilnius

“I’m writing a play, which I’m obviously not likely to finish by the end of November.  I’m writing it with pleasure, but I swear, it will not comply with the traditional stage requirements. It is a comedy: three female and six male characters, a total of four acts, a landscape (view of the lake), a lot of talking about literature, a bit of action and loads of love,” – wrote Anton Chekhov.

Rimas Tuminas can be titled Chekhov’s good “acquaintance”, as he has already staged close to ten plays by the classic Russian playwright in Lithuania and abroad.

More than a hundred years ago Chekhov contrasted the theory of drama with real theatrical practice, broke the traditional understanding of the plot, conflict, dialogue and setting. Tuminas also discusses the principles of modern theatre, while looking for revelations in what at first glance seems old and familiar.

Tuminas’ latest production, “Seagull”, is not only a continuation of his Chekhoviada in the Small Theatre, but also a certain baptism for the youngest generation of his students, whose mere wish to delve into the deepest waters of the world dramaturgy deserves a lot of respect.

Director – Rimas Tuminas
Stage designer – Valentinas Tudorakė
Costume  designer – Diana Lozoraitienė
Music by Faustas Latėnas; Russian folk music and other
Translated from Russian by Sigitas Parulskis

Cast – Agnė Šataitė, Martynas Nedzinskas, Tomas Kliukas, Miglė Polikevičiūtė, Tadas Gryn, Toma Vaškevičiūtė, Miglė Rimaitytė, Indrė Patkauskaitė, Tomas Rinkūnas, Josif Baliukevič, Daumantas Ciunis, Tomas Stirna.

Premiere – January 14, 2009
Duration – 3 hours

Rimas Tuminas. The leader of the Sate Small Theatre of Vilnius Rimas Tuminas is among the most prominent directors of contemporary Lithuanian theatre. Since the start of his artistic career in 1978 he stood out from the general repertory of this theatre already with his first works. In performances directed by Tuminas, daily life turns into poetry, drama acquires a tinge of tender irony and every detail on the stage arouses the audience's emotions. Tuminas has staged over 40 theatre pieces in Lithuania and abroad, including such theatres as Gothenburg City Theatre (Sweden), The National Theatre of Iceland, Dundie Rep Theatre (UK), Vakhtangov Theatre (Russia) and others.