Overview
Irína Arkádina is a famous—but fading—actress in Russia at the turn of the last century. She and her lover, Boris Trigórin, a well-known author, arrive at her brother Sórin’s country estate for the summer, just as son Konstantín is staging an experimental new play he’s written and directed, starring his girlfriend, Nína. Konstantín wants to find “new forms of theater,” but Arkádina is far more traditional—and not about to let anyone forget that she’s the star in the family. Her snide comments during the performance enrage Konstantín, who stops the show and storms off. In Konstantín’s absence, Nína comes out and is introduced to Trigórin. Nína is soon enthralled by the successful author, which starts a love affair—and the ensuing jealousies and anger—that will eventually ruin lives.
Casting & Production
Casting
IRÍNA NIKOLÁYEVNA ARKÁDINA — an actress; her married name is Tréplev
KONSTANTÍN GAVRÍLOVICH TRÉPLEV — her son, in his twenties
PYÓTR NIKOLÁYEVICH SÓRIN — her brother
NÍNA MIKHÁILOVNA ZARÉCHNAYA — nineteen, daughter of a wealthy neighbor
ILYÁ AFANÁSYEVICH SHAMRÁYEV — a retired army lieutenant who manages Sórin’s farm
PAULÍNA ANDRÉYEVNA — his wife
MÁSHA — his daughter
BORÍS ALEXÉYEVICH TRIGÓRIN — a novelist
YEVGÉNY SERGÉYEVICH DORN — the local doctor
SEMYÓN SEMYÓNOVICH MEDVEDÉNKO — a schoolteacher
YÁKOV — the hired man
THE COOK
THE MAID
Setting
The action takes place at Sórin’s farm.
Between acts Three and Four, two years go by.
