Seagull: True Story at Marylebone Theatre Review
Written by Bronagh for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Content warnings: adult language, discussions of war, discussions of suicide, haze and brief strobe lighting.
Seagull: True Story follows Kon (Daniel Boyd) as he attempts to direct his production of The Seagull at Moscow Arts Theatre. Set to the backdrop of Russia’s assault on Ukraine, this is a timely play within a play, two hours of entertainment and poignancy peppered throughout.
Seagull: True Story has come at a very convenient time, whilst wars are ongoing, censorship is prevalent, and artists are standing up for their political views more and more every day. We see this during a scene where the Moscow actors react to the news of Russia’s violence in Ukraine, and fall into despair. This is a moving scene, stirring deep emotion. We don’t stop at Russia/Ukraine, with Seagull: True Story also referencing the more recent issues in the United States. After the interval, we see Kon finding himself fleeing to New York to avoid being arrested after his views are aired publicly. He decides Broadway is the place for his interpretation of The Seagull and makes a good innings and trying to make this a reality. This is where the show thrives, a second half that feels like a cheese dream, including a topless Putin riding horseback. An image I hoped to never conjure ever again.
Energy is high throughout, which keeps the show ticking along nicely. There were an assortment of dance scenes and thudding music, notably a spontaneous dance scene on the New York subway and a drug-fuelled rave in a loft. Hackney or New York? It’s hard to say. Andrey Burkovskiy is MC, and an emcee he is! Often breaking the fourth wall and talking to the audience, his performance is enjoyable to watch, particularly when he acknowledges cliches throughout. This is such a contrast to the more serious moments, however, it all fits together nicely.
The entire supporting cast are impressive to watch, from their dance skills to their acting abilities. Ingeborga Dapkunaite’s Olga is stunning to watch, every inch the glamorous actress and loving mother to Kon. Stella Baker as Nico is equally wonderful to watch, dance skills of a ballerina and the carelessness of a cheating girlfriend down to a tee. At the heart of this is Elan Zafir’s Anton, a dramaturg who took the hit for Kon and found himself imprisoned. Amongst the chaos he cuts a solemn figure, a political prisoner.
The set is made up of a red velvet curtain, dressing room vanity tables (complete with bright Hollywood lighting) and a rehearsal space. This space is extremely versatile and with the use of props is presented to us as anything from Red Square to a Subway station, brilliant to see in a show relating to the difficulties in creating theatre.
Seagull: True Story is energetic and thought-provoking, a perfect exploration into political censorship and its difficulties whilst making theatre for the ‘normal’ people. Surreal moments clash with reality, chaos with the solemn. This is an excellent production, an all-around audience pleaser.
At Marylebone Theatre until 12th October 2025
★★★★
