Players struggle with Chekhov

It is a statement that aptly describes the plot of Anton Chekhov's melancholy play, which opened last night at the Harold Prince Theater in the Annenberg Center. Set on a secluded country estate, the play depicts a mismatched group of aristocrats struggling in vain to ward off the ominous specters of death, decay and despair. On a sparse set stripped down to the floorboards, the ten-member cast struggled to overcome the play's heavy mix of intensity and gloom. But only in the last act did the actors manage to evoke the tragic power that had hitherto eluded them. Theater Arts Lecturer Jim Schlatter directed the play with a sombre reverence that did little to prevent lethargy. Although he strived to lighten the mood with some much-needed moments of comic relief, they were clumsy and out-of-step with the rest of the performance. It was a brave decision to perform this difficult play, and kudos to the talented cast for almost pulling it off. College sophomore Alanna Medlock was suitably bombastic as the aging primadonna Arkadina, while College junior Courtney Spikes brought a wistful charm to the role of the tragic innocent Nina. As the suicidal, frustrated writer Konstantin, College junior Christopher Campbell's angst-ridden histrionics became increasingly tiresome as the play progressed. Far more effective was College junior Colin Campbell's subtle and sympathetic rendering of Dorn, the family doctor. At one point, a stuffed seagull is brought on stage, a vivid emblem of the character's inherent sterility. Unfortunately, and despite the best efforts of cast and crew, the bird had more life than most of the performance. The Seagull will be performed at the Harold Prince Theater tonight and tomorrow night and also from March 28 to 30. All shows will begin at 8 p.m., and tickets are available at the Annenberg Box Office and on Locust Walk.

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