Cast and crew members of play [seagull], a Flemish Sign Language adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull," cheer each other on before taking the stage during the Edinburgh International Festival in Edinburgh, Britain, on Aug. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhao Jiasong)
EDINBURGH, Britain, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The British premiere of a Flemish Sign Language adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull" entered its final day at the Edinburgh International Festival on Tuesday.
Presented by Belgian theater company Olympique Dramatique, "[seagull]" brought together deaf and hearing actors in Edinburgh, with Flemish Sign Language at the heart of the performance as well as English captions.
Ahead of Monday evening's performance, the cast gathered backstage for a focused rehearsal before encouraging one another as they prepared to go on stage.
At the end of the performance, audience members rose to their feet, with deaf and hearing spectators alike using sign language to show their appreciation.
Mairi, a deaf audience member from Edinburgh, said she was grateful to see a production like this brought to Scotland. "It means a lot to be able to experience a classic play in a way that feels accessible to us. Deaf audiences will have more opportunities to enjoy theater alongside everyone else," she said.
The production draws on these themes through its use of sign language. Its cast consists of both deaf and hearing actors, who use gesture as a shared theatrical language.
The production is based on Chekhov's 1896 play, which explores young people's search for new ideas and freedom alongside an older generation unsettled by change.
Directed by Stijn Van Opstal, the production premiered at the Bourla Theater in Antwerp, Belgium, in November 2024.
Its Edinburgh performances ran from Aug. 7 to Tuesday as part of the 2026 Edinburgh International Festival. ■
Cast and crew members of play [seagull], a Flemish Sign Language adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull," pose for a group photo during the Edinburgh International Festival in Edinburgh, Britain, on Aug. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhao Jiasong)
