Blanchett & Burke to Star in "The Seagull" at London's Barbican

Celebrated actress Cate Blanchett will return to the stage in a new production of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull," marking her first theatrical appearance in six years. The Oscar winner will take on the role of Arkadina, a celebrated actress whose larger-than-life presence overshadows her family and lovers, in this adaptation directed by renowned German theatre director Thomas Ostermeier.

The production will run for six weeks at the Barbican Theatre in London, beginning in February. Joining Blanchett in the cast is Tom Burke, known for his roles in "Strike" and "The Wonder," who will portray the aspiring writer Trigorin. The pair recently completed filming for Steven Soderbergh's upcoming film, "Black Bag," and their collaboration on "The Seagull" marks a reunion for the actors.

Ostermeier, who described Blanchett as a "once-in-a-generation actress," expressed his excitement for this collaboration, stating: "I have known and admired Cate for many years, and to see her on stage is always a privilege. I am thrilled that we will make our first artistic collaboration with this production of The Seagull at the Barbican, and that London will experience this once-in-a-generation actress in one of the greatest theatrical roles of Arkadina."

The play, set in a country estate, follows Arkadina's arrival, which stirs up a series of conflicts among her family and those around her. Her son struggles to break free from her shadow, while her lover becomes the object of affection for a young aspiring actress. The Seagull explores themes of ambition, vanity, disappointment, and desire in a compelling portrayal of human relationships.

Blanchett's last performance on the Barbican stage was in 2012's "Big and Small" (Gross und Klein). Her previous theatrical role before that was in the 2019 production of "When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other" at the National Theatre.

Blanchett is known for her diverse and acclaimed film career, having starred in numerous critically acclaimed films including "Carol," "Nightmare Alley," "Tar," "Don't Look Up," "Notes on a Scandal," "Thor: Ragnarok," and "Ocean's 8." She has been nominated for eight Academy Awards for her acting, winning twice for her roles in "The Aviator" and "Blue Jasmine."

Burke, a prolific actor with a strong theatre background, has appeared in films such as "Living," "The Souvenir," and "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," alongside his prominent role in the BBC's "Strike."

This new production of "The Seagull," produced by Wessex Grove, the team behind Ostermeier's recent production of "An Enemy of the People" starring Matt Smith, promises to be a captivating and insightful exploration of Chekhov's timeless masterpiece. With a stellar cast and a renowned director, "The Seagull" at the Barbican is set to be a highlight of the London theatre scene in the new year.