THE SEAGULL

By: Anton Chekhov

Costume Designer

Mai Levilyn Ngo

Group 59

HISTORICAL STYLE

The Seagull is a tragedy play that includes formal and dignified clothing creating a serious ambience.

The play took place in summer 1895-1897 located on Sorin’s estate and farm

The Seagull setting occurs in 1890’s in Southern Russia , so the characters costume will be mainly neutral colors such as brown, black, tan, vanilla, white grey, and blue for denims. Women wore conservative dresses such as flowy, long skirts and dresses paired with a blouse and flats or sandals. The men wore blazers and slacks paired with dress shoes.

CAST COSTUMES

KONSTANTIN TREPLEV

Treplev is a young, idealistic and often desperate writer who lives in the shadow of his famous mother, Arkadina. He is one of the protagonist in the play.

Costume: long coat, formal slacks, tie and buttoned down collar. The color scheme of his outfit will be black, grey and brown. The texture will be made out of wool and cotton. He will wear a hat with his hair combed.

Symbolically, Treplev conveys the theme of evaluating the self, existentialism and life’s meaning, and artist and in love.

IRINA ARKADINA• She is a middle-aged

woman who is still beautiful but whose beauty and fame have passed their prime. Arkadina is a member of the aristocracy in Russia. She is one of the protagonist in the play.

• Costume: nice blouse with long skirt made of silk. Colors will be cream and emerald green. Her hair will be in an up-do. She will be wearing pearls on her neck to compliment her dress. She will have very heavy make up.

Nina is a nineteen-year-old neighbor of Sorin's estate who grew up in an estate. She is one of the protagonist in the play.Costume: a dark grey and black sophisticated dress made out of cotton with her hair in a curly up-do with a butterfly pin. She will also wear a pearl necklace.Symbolically, Nina conveys the theme of existentialism and life’s meaning when she tries to find the meaning of her life believing that she will find her identity through her work as an actress. She will lastly have minimal makeup.

NINA ZARECHNAYA

BORIS TRIGORINArkadina's lover, Trigorin, is an esteemed Russian writer of fiction stories and novels. Trigorin is a member of the the elite Russian intelligensia and artistic community. He is one of the protagonist.Costume: tailored checkered suit with a black buttoned up underneath with a black blazer made of wool. He will wear a tan hat. Symbolically, Trigorin helps to convey the theme of the role of the artist and in love. He has the satisfaction of success in his writing but is never satisfied. He pursues Nina because he feels that she is the substitution in that lack of satisfaction and will complete that.

Sorin is the sixty-year-old landowner of the estate where the play takes place. He spent his life working for a government office and retired to his country farm.Costume: Formal, tailored wool suit with white collared buttoned up. He will have grey hair and beard. He will also be carrying a cane.

SORIN

MASHAMasha is the daughter of Paulina and Shamrayev, the managers of Sorin's farm. She wears all black all of the time because she is depressed and hates her life. A heavy drinker and snuff addict, she indulges in a lot of bad habits. She is in love with Treplev. Costume: black, cotton dress with fluffy shoulder sleeves. Her hair will be in an up-do. She will have a grey wig and a pearl necklace on. She will lastly have natural make up on.

Shamrayev is father to Masha and husband to Paulina. He acts as the manager of Sorin's farm and household year round.

Costume: black jacket with a jacket, slacks and boots. He will have a belt for the long black jacket. He will have long side burns connecting to his mustache and very short hair.

ILYA SHAMRAYEV

Medvedenko is a local schoolteacher who is poor and must support his family at home while later supporting his new family with Masha. He is a boring conversationalist because he spends most of his time complaining about his poverty.

Costume: long trench coat with vest and tie along with slacks. He also has on glasses. He is dressed more to look like a professor since he is a school teacher. He will be wearing small glasses.

SEMYON MEDVEDENKO