Described by this team as an “18th century Love Island”, the play follows an ensemble of artists, writers, and actors whose lives intertwine over the course of several years in the Russian countryside in the late 19th century. However in this production they are “exploring a setting that is both place and time nondescript, more evocative of a seamless corner of time that is simultaneously alien in aesthetics but familiar in its humaneness.” This production of The Seagull will pan between humour and heartbreak, presented by a hearty cohort of complex characters to both force contemplation and inspire humour.
From the moment I met Kyri Antholis and Orly Benn (producer and director of the show), bundling them out of the cold into the warmth of the Pleasance recording studios, it was clear they were a united duo, their teamwork central to the success of their operation. Both in fourth year, and after dedicating most of their university lives to student theatre this will be their last show they will put on during their tenure at Edinburgh. Both had a self-awareness that the production is “is a total passion project and I don’t see it happening again”. Whilst Antholis has produced multiple shows for EU Footlights, this is Benn’s first time stepping into the director’s shoes. Antholis explains: “I always knew that Orly would direct at some point, and I always wanted to be involved if she did.”
Every element, every team member, every detail is promised to be well-mapped and cohesive to create a production which is “really sensitive and quite tender and intimate.” Praising everyone in the production, the duo stated “collaboration is central. When we proposed, that was actually one of the principles of our show.” As well as offering unwavering admiration for the cast in their show, they were careful not to understate the vision of the whole show from the set team constructing the “a sea of fabric with curtains of gauze” creating “shadow and light play” to those designing the costumes which are “soft and delicate”.
Central to this production is the music, which the duo described as the real “labour of love of the show.” Orly stated “I think tenderness for me comes from music […] Language in the play is really similar to so much of the music that Kyri and I love, contemporary folk music. We’re working with musical directors who have quite a lot of experience with traditional Scottish folk music as well. So we’ve blended that all in”.
Earlier this week, the production announced they had been named as the official winner of the English and Scottish Literature Play Award, giving them a £1000 grant for their production as well as full support from the LLC (The Department of Literatures, Languages and Cultures). Antholis and Benn stated how this recognition felt “gratifying that they trusted us as students of literature”, and that this was so important to their production as it gave them space for “exploration, play and fun” as well as “taking a huge stress off” that they no longer had to “fundraise the extra money”.
The show is in collaboration with Conscious Edinburgh— a registered mental health charity, providing both support and education about mental health; run by students, for students. After asking the pair about their partnership with the charity they stated: “by partnering with Conscious, we hope to spread their charity’s mission as well as treat the sensitive nature of this production with the utmost care”.
Entering the final week of rehearsals is a scary time in any production, finally getting into the theatre space and launching into final run throughs. I have no doubt, however, that this team will continue to come together to put on their best show. Benn and Antholis are proud to be a part of the community in a university where they say “there’s so much love for theatre in the city.” To put on such a detailed, intimate show feels the perfect final love letter to their time in Edinburgh theatre.
EUTC’s The Seagull runs between Wednesday 11 — Sunday 15 February at Bedlam Theatre.
Image provided as part of Press Release Material.
