Directed by retired Associate Professor of Dramatic Arts Gyllian Raby and fourth-year DART student Hayley King, the play is a contemporary adaptation of Chekhov\u2019s classic 1896 play, The Seagull, <\/em>written by Aaron Posner. The story follows the lives and complicated love triangles of characters Con, Mash, Dev and Nina, teenagers coming of age in rural Ontario.<\/p>\n As the characters wrestle with the disappointments of love, rejection and growing up in the shadow of the boomer generation, they also find hope for the future through artistic expression when they stage their own play their way.<\/p>\n Third-year Dramatic Arts student Lucas Charters rehearses on set for the upcoming Dramatic Arts mainstage, an adaptation of the famous play The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, whose face is displayed as an artistic rendering seen here as part of the staging.<\/p><\/div>\n Raby said the adaptation is faithful to Chekhov\u2019s original comedic work, exploring themes of human relationships in society that are as relevant today as they were in 1896 when the play was written \u2014 although it was considered revolutionary at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a production with big ideas attempting to reproduce theatrical innovation that Chekhov sought during his time. It is irreverent and laugh-out-loud funny, even given the character\u2019s tendencies to self-destruct,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n King, who is in her final year of study with a concentration in performance, said she has greatly enjoyed working on this innovative production as Associate Director and Choreographer, especially reimagining the theatrical conventions used by Chekhov and staging them in a fresh way for new audiences.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking alongside Gyllian Raby, I have learned so much about creating theatre. Investigating the metatheatrical nature of the play through staging, choreography and design has been both a great learning experience and a lot of fun,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n Stupid F**king Bird<\/em> opens Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marilyn I. Walker Theatre at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines.<\/p>\n Performances will also take place Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/SFB-Chekhov-copy-1050x788.jpg\")