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The Seagull Reviews
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Kristin Scott Thomas is Great but the Play isn't...... Review by: Bloomingdalekid, Nov 19, 2008 |
| I saw this show on Friday November 14. I was so excited to see Kristin Scott Thomas - as I think she is brilliant in movies , and she didn't disappoint on stage. Her acting was great and facial expressions were right on cue and told a story. BUT, quite honestly, the play wasn't one that I enjoyed. If we hadn't paid so much for the tickets, and if we had been in the back of the theater instead of on row 2, we might have left at intermission. ... read more The people behind us were considering leaving too, but they were more interested in seeing Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, who were seated a few rows behind them. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Business Associate
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Expectations for Chekhov? Review by: John V, Nov 11, 2008 |
I've just perused the previous reviews, having seen the play this past Friday. The contrasts are stark, and I believe the issue is what one expects going in. You must realize that with Chekhov, the 'action' (apart from the play early in the first act) occurs off-stage, and that the cast's roles are to emote and express their emotional and psychological pathos, frustration, and anger in reaction to what has transcended elsewhere. This ... read more is especially true in the second half, in which two or three years have elapsed since the prior scenes. In many ways Cheknov was ahead of his time in terms of 'modern' theatre interpretation, and it may take some patience and thought to appreciate it fully. But, that said, his plays may not be everyone's idea of an evening's entertainment. That is not intended as a disparagement, but simply a reality check of the genre. Unlike may reviewers I found Mr. Crook's Konstantin quite good, his body and speech portraying an unquenched frustration and disillusionment. I'd also credit Mr. Malik's doctor as the perfect counter-image of the remorsed lovers, though we do learn early that he, too, is aware that time is fleeting. My one complaint was the theater itself. I have never sat in a seat so cramped and lacking legroom. I was welcoming the end just to be able to stretch!
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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| 3 |
Great acting, bland story. Review by: , Nov 5, 2008 |
| The acting of the entire cast was fantastic throughout the show (including the guy several people mentioned already). The plot itself though was quite bland and unspectacular. This is the first broadway show where there was no full theatre standing ovation. Everyone seemed to have liked it but it doesn't seem to have been GREAT. It was a good experience but certainly not life changing. Go see it if you're into this kind of stuff. |
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My recommendation:
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| 4 |
Good but not great Review by: theaterlover, Oct 19, 2008 |
I would recommend your seeing this show although I don't think it is the brilliant production the NY Times made it out to be. The main highlight, for me, was Kristin Scott-Thomas. She was marvelous as Akadina. She totally brougt to life her "diva" personality. And yet underneath all the posturing you can sense the woman who is aging, is in a turbulent relationship with her son and lover, and who is trying to get by. ... read more
Peter Sarsgarrd was terribe as Trigorin. His portrayal was one note and there was not a bit of chemistry between him and Nina which throws all their scenes out of sync.
The other cast members were good, especially Zoe Kazan as Masha. A very different interpretation which really made you look at Masha in a different way.
All in all, I recommend seeing this. Just don't expect the best "Seagull" ever. I'm still waiting for that. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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| 5 |
arggh. Review by: cathy, Sep 24, 2008 |
| i had great expectations for this show based on the raves from london. peter sarsgaard is terrible and he throws the entire show off. his ambivalence as trigorin is fatal to the entire production. within my sight line, i saw more than a half dozen people snoozing through the fourth act. i love chekov so it wasnt a matter of flawed expectations. the only way you will enjoy this is if you relish the sadistic sight of one actor murdering ... read more an otherwise fine production. |
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| 6 |
To love it you need to know what to expect Review by: la, Sep 19, 2008 |
I loved the show....
To enjoy the show one has to know what to expect.....
It is a play, not a regular Broadway show.
It is a serious play and knowing a few things about Anton Chekov(the playwright) and Russian history would be very helpful. Going to a theater should be similar to planning a vacation. Do you know what you expect when you plan a trip to Italy, don't you read up on the places you are about to visit or google a little ... read more bit and see what it is going to be about? An educated theater lover should be doing the same to be able to enjoy a show(just an opinion).
I had a chance to see a few very good productions of the Seagull back home(Russia and the Ukraine). I can tell you that the Broadway (i.e. The Royal Court theatre)version of it was wonderful. The cast is very talented and managed to capture all the precious nuances of this Chekov's masterpiece.
I expected a little bit more orginality from Kristin Scott Thomas whose performances in The Horse Whisperer and The Enlish Patient were brilliant.I am sure she will add a little bit more of her your usual charm to this character and will master her performance in a few more days and will shine the way she usually does.
I loved Carey Mulligan, she managed to get very close to Chekov's character of Nina - a really sweet and innocent soul. Mackenzie Crook created a very good image of Konstantin, and Art Malik was wonderful as Dorn.
Loved it.
Everybody who loves Chekov and knows what he is all about should definitely see it.
On the other hand, it could have been 15-20 miniutes shorter, with fewer prolonged pauses, since the cast managed to reveal the boredom surrounding the estate very well. They did not have to pause so many times and this whole process of tearing the paper(Konstantin' scene after Nina leaves the house) one page at a time did not have to take 3 minutes....could have been done in one minute.
A little bit more effort from Kristin Scott Thomas and 15-20 minutes shorter.......and it would gain more of Chekov's precision and humor and reveal more acting talent. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 7 |
Review by: lady di, Sep 17, 2008 |
THIS SHOW IS NOT FOR EVERYONE
My friend and I both hated the show. It was a depressing show where none of the charaters are happy. This is the first play that I wanted to walk out during intermission and I see most of the shows on Broadway. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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