Russian production plays on emotions

This is the sixth production of The Seagull by the Moscow Art Theatre, which premiered in December 2024.

Another distinctive choice in Khabenskiy's production is its "deviation from the traditional ending", he says. In this version, Khabenskiy introduces a new, imagined fifth act that extends Chekhov's world. This brief but poignant monologue follows the departure of the characters, leaving what comes next up to the imagination. After the pain and sorrow have settled, Khabenskiy envisions how life continues after the tragedy. This small addition serves as a bridge to Chekhov's final work, The Cherry Orchard, offering a glimpse into the broader cycle of life and change.

For the actors, performing any role in the production is an immense privilege, "as artists and human beings", says actor Igor Vernik, who portrays doctor Evgenii Dorn in this version. Vernik previously played the role of Trigorin, the writer, in a previous production.

He describes the characters in the play as seeking refuge in each other, yet despite their desires, they remain like parallel lines — always close yet never truly converging, trapped in eternal uncertainty and existential doubt.

Vernik's Dorn is not the typical detached, melancholic figure often seen in traditional portrayals. Instead, he is a risk-taker, someone who embraces life's unpredictable nature and never retreats from its challenges.

"I find this portrayal deeply exciting, as it reimagines the role in a way never seen before onstage. Every role, every nuance, and every thematic element of this version offers a new interpretation, pushing the boundaries of Chekhov's original vision," he says.