the seagull

Went to see the seagull this evening at the royal court theatre http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/. It was excellent, i especially enjoyed the second half of the play. Kristin Scott Thomas and MacKenzie Crook were particularly good but the whole cast were fine. As far as i'm aware this is the first time i've seen the play, although being aware of it for years.
The way it was played gave it a melodramatic quality, with Kristin Scott Thomas simply haming it up to get whatever she wants from her lover, son and others. She could have almost winked at the audience whilst doing so.
MacKenzie Crook, previously probably best known for the office, had that thin, bleak pale look more often portrayed by young women. Although he was supposed to have been in love, finally killing himself when the object of his affection returns and then leaves again, telling him she is still passionately in love with the man who has misused her love and returned to Kristin Scott Thomas, i wasn't convinced of that love. He gave the impression of a tortured man who was in love with his writing but not with her.
Nevertheless i enjoyed it and will look out for other Chekhov plays.