Last night, Emilia Clarke made her West End debut in a production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull at the Playhouse Theater in London. Reviews have yet to come out, but we do have images from opening night, which looks like it was a big success!
Tonight’s crowd captured by jocanflyaway/IG pic.twitter.com/aR1dYsFaXr
— The Seagull (Unofficial) (@TheSeagullLive) March 11, 2020
Clarke plays Nina, a young woman desperate to become an actress so she can escape an isolated life in the Russian countryside. She gets her shot courtesy of Konstantin (Daniel Monks), a young playwright and the son of a famous actor, played by fellow Game of Thrones veteran Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand). Another major character is the middlebrow writer Boris Trigorin (Tom Rhys Harries). The subtext-rich play explores the romantic and artistic relationships between these characters, and is considered one of Chekhov’s major works. It’s legit stuff.
Of course, that doesn’t mean Clarke and company can’t have fun with it. Below, they chat about what it’s like working with director Jamie Lloyd:
Let's get this show on the road.
— The Jamie Lloyd Co (@JamieLloydCo) March 11, 2020
Previews for #SeagullWestEnd start TONIGHT. We're so excited for everyone to see it. 🐦 pic.twitter.com/mH5zlHlLIX
Here she is with Monks during rehearsal:
New image of Emilia Clarke and Daniel Monks during a rehearsal for The Seagull pic.twitter.com/K2nZHYuzl0
— dragon's daughter (@yeahclarke) March 10, 2020
Below, Emilia Clarke, serious actor, prepares the tread the boards:
Part of the cast before tonight’s show #TheSeagull [via starrysunflxwer IG] pic.twitter.com/OqeW0LRXY9
— 07Khaleesi (@07Khaleesi) March 11, 2020
Take a bow, everyone!
emilia clarke’s first night at the playhouse 😍😭🥺 pic.twitter.com/V3jGqWj7m5
— paulette 🥕 (@scarletoxica) March 11, 2020
💞 (via chnvlzl/IG) pic.twitter.com/OJ8iQjIWKd
— Emilia Clarke Updates (@EClarkeUpdates) March 11, 2020
Reactions from people there seem very positive:
@TheSeagullLive @JamieLloydCo Another triumph for Jamie Lloyd and Co, The Seagull was not motionless or stuffed, it flew! Now what was that song?
— Samuel Falkingham (@samfalkingham) March 11, 2020
@TheSeagullLive When a cast, writing, direction and staging chime in perfect harmony, something #extraordinary happens. Mesmerising performances from all but especially the dark melancholy of @sophiewugirl and the jealous despair from @DanielMonks. @emeliaclarke shines. Bravo!
— Paul Ottewell (@paulottewell) March 11, 2020
👏🏼👏🏼 Amazing evening at the Playhouse, seeing The Seagull tonight @JamieLloydCo the cast was truly a blessing, every single of them! Can’t wait to see it again on saturday hehehe 🥳👍🏼 (also thank you sooo much for upgrade, front row was so nice!!) pic.twitter.com/V772nDw5Fu
— clara ◟̽◞̽ (@targhabit) March 11, 2020
Applause all around!
The Seagull is currently in previews, so expect it to get even better the more the cast works out the kinks. Unfortunately, one of those kinks is the danger involved in gathering in public spaces while the Coronavirus spreads throughout the world. At the moment, the show is taking precautions by nixing photos and autographs with the cast. Hopefully that’s as far as it’ll have to get.
— Lovely Emilia Clarke (@lovelyemiliac) March 11, 2020
If all goes well, The Seagull will run at the Playhouse Theater through May 20. Get your tickets here.
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