Sophie Wu plays Masha in The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, in a version by Anya Reiss directed by Jamie Lloyd.
The full cast of The Seagull is Emilia Clarke (Nina), Tom Rhys Harries (Trigorin), Daniel Monks (Konstantin), Indira Varma (Arkadina), Sophie Wu (Masha) Jason Barnett (Shamrayev), Robert Glenister (Sorin), Mika Onyx Johnson (Medvedenko), Gerald Kyd (Dorn) and Sara Powell (Polina),
The production opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 7 July, with previews from 29 June, and runs until 10 September 2022.
The Jamie Lloyd Company continues its commitment to accessibility with 12,000 £15 tickets offered across its 2022 UK productions (Cyrano de Bergerac and The Seagull), with an additional 5,000 free tickets for The Seagull available for those with limited access to the arts.
You’re appearing in The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, what can you tell us about this production of the play?
I’m pretty certain it will be unlike any other production of The Seagull you have seen before. There’s no props, it’s very stripped back and simple.
What was it about this new version by Anya Reiss that appealed to you the most?
Her incredibly naturalistic and precise dialogue. I’d go so far as to say she might be (probably is) a genius.
You’re playing Masha, tell us a little bit more about the character, and what you love about the role?
Masha is the deeply depressed daughter of Shamrayev and Polina. She’s hopelessly in love with Konstantin while being hopelessly pursued by Medvedenko who she treats with zero respect or compassion and considers being married to him as an extremely brave decision. Which frankly, it is. Yes there’s no two ways about it – she’s a bleak little lady.
Is there anything about this character that you think will be challenging for you as an actor?
Being depressed and miserable for almost three hours, 8 times a week for 3 months.
How does it feel to be working with The Jamie Lloyd Company, and what’s surprised you the most about the work they do?
I feel incredibly lucky. It’s a truly exciting, heartbreakingly funny version of the play, the cast are a talented, lovely bunch and there’s no ‘cast carbuncle’ (yet) which usually there inevitably is. Perhaps it’s me…
And working with Jamie it has surprised me how simple acting can be when you remove all the surrounding fluff. If fluff makes sense.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see The Seagull?
Don’t think just do it.
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