Olympique Dramatique’s production [meeuw] is the first time that a repertory play has been translated and performed in its entirety in Flemish Sign Language by a mixed cast of deaf and hearing actors. 

The starting point is De Meeuw (The Seagull) by Anton Chekhov, one of the greatest and tenderest plays in the world repertoire: a classic from 1896 about young people wanting to explore new ideas and an older generation that feels threatened by this. A narrative about the longing for the past and the longing for a free life, told from the perspective of three different generations. Love and desire as the devastating driving force during a family reunion. A comedy in four acts, as the Russian playwright himself called it. 

 [meeuw] above all aims at being an encounter with the Flemish deaf community, a collaboration of artists with different backgrounds: professional actors and amateur performers whose mother tongue is Flemish Sign Language. A theatrical encounter between artists from the same community, living close together and yet separated by a language barrier.

“I’ve gone past your house so many times, but I couldn’t bring myself to come in. Come, let’s sit down.” – Nina Mikhailovna Zarechnaya