Chekhov’s First Play at The Samuel
Beckett Theatre, Dublin
On Friday 2nd
of October last I had a very entertaining, engaging and different (if
confusing) theatre experience at The Dead Centre Company’s production of Chekhov’s First Play at The Samuel
Beckett Theatre at TCD Dublin.
The
production was directed by Bush Moukarzel and Ben Kidd, Set Designed by Andrew
Clancy, Lighting Design by Stephen Dodd, Special Effects and On-Stage Design by
Grace O’Hara Costume Design by Saileóg O’Halloran, Prosthetics and Make-up
Design Bridge Lucey, Wigs by Val Sherlock.
This very entertaining,
different and confusing theatre experience is set in a symbolic back garden of a large Russian
Country Mansion. The audience wear headphones throughout the performance, listening
to the Director’s candid commentary, explanations, outrages and moments of
confusion. Watch out for the Seagull’s cameo role, the on-stage costume changes
and the central character Platonov’s interesting and surprising performance.
Andrew
Clancey presents the performance space as a symbolic back garden of a large two storied Russian Country Villa. The action
takes place around an al fresco dining table set downstage. Upstage exterior
wall of the villa provides a central doorway access on and off stage. The walls
and windows of the set continue down stage on either side where the downstage
ends return into the wings. There are paved areas stage right and left and lawn
areas also stage left and right, the paving used to dramatic effect later in the
performance as are some destructive interactive actions to the set.
The design effort of all contributors combined with the direction and
performances gives for a very robust theatrical presentation which is visually satisfying
and supportive of the drama.
Saileóg
O’Halloran’s Costume Design was effective
in giving the characters a credible appearance/sense of time and place but also
added to the performers getting out of character or changing character in an orchestrated
and confused moment in time.
Stephen
Dodd’s Lighting Design in
sync with Grace O’Hara’s Special Effects and Jimmy Eadie’s Sound Design added
to the many surprise dramatic moments.
The
free programme gave notes on the performance, Anton Chekov, Dead Centre Company
and the cast and crew credits.
Bush
Moukarzel: http://totallydublin.ie/theatre/interview-bush-moukarzel/
Grace O’Hara: http://graceohara.weebly.com/ http://design.irishtheatreinstitute.ie/designers/grace-ohara/
Saileóg O’Halloran: http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/people/view/saileog-ohalloran
Dead Centre
Company: http://www.deadcentre.org/
Project Arts
Centre: http://projectartscentre.ie/
