Cate Blanchett Sets London Stage Return With Chekhovs The Seagull

Publish date: 2024-08-09

Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett is returning to the London stage, taking on the role of Arkadina in Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull.”

The production will run for six weeks at London’s Barbican Theatre beginning in February 2025.

Joining Blanchett in the cast is Tom Burke, known for his role in BBC series “Strike” and in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” The pair recently worked together on Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming film “Black Bag.”

In the play, Blanchett’s character, Arkadina, is a celebrated actress. The story unfolds over a weekend at her family’s country estate, where conflicts arise as her son struggles to escape her shadow. Burke’s character, Trigorin, is Arkadina’s lover and a famous writer who becomes the romantic target of an aspiring young actress.

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The adaptation is by Duncan Macmillan (“People, Places and Things”) and Thomas Ostermeier (“Death in Venice”), who will also direct. “The Seagull” will be produced by Wessex Grove, the team behind Ostermeier’s recent production of “An Enemy of the People,” which starred Matt Smith, and Gavin Kalin Productions (“Sunset Boulevard”).

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Ostermeier said: “I have known and admired Cate for many years, and to see her on stage is always a privilege. I am thrilled that we will make our first artistic collaboration with this production of ‘The Seagull’ at the Barbican, and that London will experience this once-in-a-generation actress in one of the greatest theatrical roles of Arkadina.”

“I’m also very pleased to be forging a new artistic relationship with Tom Burke, who will play the role of Trigorin,” Ostermeier added.

This production follows another staging of “The Seagull” in London two years ago, which starred Emilia Clarke of “Game of Thrones” fame.

Blanchett’s last appearance at the Barbican was in 2012’s “Big and Small (Gross und Klein).” Her most recent London stage role was in 2019’s “When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other” at the National Theatre, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The acclaimed actor has received eight Oscar nominations throughout her career, winning two for her performances in “The Aviator” and “Blue Jasmine.”

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