EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY ... ELSE IN `THE SEAGULL'.Byline: Julio Martinez Julio Martinez is the weekly host of KPFK Radio’s Arts in Review, is a theatre critic for Daily Variety and Features Editor of Latin Heat Magazine. His articles have appeared in Los Angeles Times Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Backstage West, L.A. Special to the Daily News It has been 101 years since Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) established his stage credentials when the Moscow Art Theatre Moscow Art Theatre Russian theatre specializing in theatrical naturalism. It was founded in 1898 by Konstantin Stanislavsky (as artistic director) and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko (administrative director) with the goal of replacing old-fashioned histrionic acting and , under Konstantin Stanislavsky Noun 1. Konstantin Stanislavsky - Russian actor and theater director who trained his actors to emphasize the psychological motivation of their roles (1863-1938) Konstantin Sergeevich Alekseev, Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky, Stanislavsky , premiered ``The Seagull seagull a noisy, gregarious bird that frequents the seashore. Web-footed, hook-billed, white with gray wings. Member of the family Laridae and of the genus Larus. ,'' the first of the four plays (including ``Uncle Vanya Uncle Vanya is a tragicomedy by the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov published in 1899. Its first major performance was in 1900 under the direction of Konstantin Stanislavski. ,'' ``Three Sisters'' and ``The Cherry Orchard'') that would guarantee the playwright's immortality. Topanga Canyon's own Theatricum Botanicum, under the direction of Heidi Helen Davis, offers a leisurely stroll through the Russian countryside, observing the interaction of Chekhov's middle-class folk who are more involved with their personal anguish than with each other. Though under-volumed, the production is a mood-filled, often comical outing that is pleasant if not illuminating. Theatricum's woodsy outdoor setting provides a perfect environment for the first act, set during two weeks in the summer of 1895. It is easy to imagine the waters of an oft-mentioned lake lapping gently just offstage. Davis allows each character the luxury of unveiling his or her personal agenda at their own pace. There is no sense of urgency, because these people have nowhere to go and nothing to do. Their individual angst is the main substance of their lives. Struggling young playwright Treplev (Aaron Hendry) is aching for love of his neighbor, the youthfully vibrant Nina (Abby Craden), while railing against the artistic mediocrity of the times as represented by his actress mother, the monumentally self-absorbed Arkadina (Ellen Geer) and her lover, the successful but self-doubting writer Trigorin (Sheridan Crist). Around them, the air of discontent is further heightened by the morbidly unhappy Masha (Melora Marshall), whose black-draped countenance proclaims her unrequited love for the totally unreceptive Treplev, while contemptuously spurning the adoring attentions of the long-suffering schoolteacher Medveyenko (David Dean). The essence of this emotional one-upmanship is distilled in the desires of the beautiful but untalented Adj. 1. untalented - devoid of talent; not gifted talentless gifted, talented - endowed with talent or talents; "a gifted writer" Nina, whose unrealistic dreams of going to Moscow to become an actress are fueled by her growing adoration of Trigorin. Craden's achingly naive Nina and Crist's aimlessly aim·less adj. Devoid of direction or purpose. aim  less·ly adv.aim aesthetic Trigorin create a tangible aura of impending im·pend intr.v. im·pend·ed, im·pend·ing, im·pends 1. To be about to occur: Her retirement is impending. 2. tragedy as the writer's amoral a·mor·al adj. 1. Not admitting of moral distinctions or judgments; neither moral nor immoral. 2. Lacking moral sensibility; not caring about right and wrong. craving for substance in his life allows him to absorb Nina's love as casually as the images and conversations about him that he is constantly jotting down in his notebook. The ensemble fails to maintain its synergistic rapport in the second act, set two years later during the winter. The conversational flow that Davis achieved in the first act is not re-established as statements and reactions appear to come from arbitrary personal choice rather than true character interaction. What should be the haunting visages of a ravaged rav·age v. rav·aged, rav·ag·ing, rav·ages v.tr. 1. To bring heavy destruction on; devastate: A tornado ravaged the town. 2. Nina and the tortured, life-rejecting soul of Treplev are simply related as inevitable facts. The performance technique of the Theatricum Botanicum ensemble is usually quite vibrant in its outdoor setting. ``The Seagull,'' however, suffers from a bit too much sotto voce musings. Just for the sake of hearing all of Chekhov's dialogue, louder would have been better. THE FACTS What: ``The Seagull.'' Where: The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. When: In repertory through Oct. 16. Tickets: $17 and $12 adults; $12 and $10 seniors, students and Equity members; $6 children 6-12; children 5 and under free. Call (310) 455-3723. Our rating: Two and one half stars. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Ellen Geer and Aaron Hendry are mother and son in Anton Chekhov's ``The Seagull.'' |
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