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 

This project was made possible thanks to the support of players from the National Lottery and the King Baudouin Foundation. This performance was realised in collaboration with KU Leuven, Faculty of Arts - Antwerp, and the Flemish Sign Language Group of the Applied Linguistics programme.