rki.news | Sources Xinhua
EDINBURGH, Britain, Aug. 11: A Flemish Sign Language adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play “The Seagull” concluded its British premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival on Tuesday, bringing deaf and hearing audiences together through an accessible theatrical experience.
Presented by Belgian theater company Olympique Dramatique, the production features deaf and hearing actors, with Flemish Sign Language serving as a central element alongside English captions.
Following the final performance, audiences gave the cast a standing ovation, with both deaf and hearing spectators using sign language to express their appreciation.
A deaf audience member from Edinburgh welcomed the production, saying it offered an opportunity for deaf audiences to experience a classic play in an accessible format alongside hearing spectators.
Directed by Stijn Van Opstal, the production explores Chekhov’s themes of generational change, young people’s search for new ideas and tensions between tradition and emerging perspectives.
The adaptation premiered at Antwerp’s Bourla Theater in November 2024.
Its Edinburgh performances ran from Aug. 7 through Tuesday as part of the 2026 Edinburgh International Festival, marking the production’s British premiere.