The press material for The Cultch’s upcoming production of Aaron Posner’s Stupid F*cking Bird says it is “sort of” adapted from Chekhov’s classic comedy, The Seagull.
And while Posner’s contemporary satirical adaptation retains much of the twisted dark humour of the original – and no doubt Chekov’s gun, the narrative principle that states every element in a story must be necessary – it introduces a modern and North American sensibility to the 1895 play with original songs by James Sugg, live music, and “an irreverent wit that reveals the danger in our desires and the eternal, and elusive, pursuit of happiness.”
An aspiring young director rampages against the art created by his mother’s generation. A nubile young actress wrestles with an aging Hollywood star for the affections of a renowned novelist. And everyone discovers just how disappointing love, art, and growing up can be.
“I’ve found that the questions that [Posner] is asking in Stupid F*cking Bird have become more and more relevant,” says director Mindy Parfitt. “We are asking ourselves as theatre artists what is the significance of what we are doing? And how is that important? And how are we engaging with one another?”
Presented by The Search Party, the same company that first came onto the Vancouver theatre scene with the award-winning The Father in 2019, Stupid F*cking Bird features local actors Kerry Sandomirsky, Kevin McNulty, Nathan Kay, Baraka Rahmani, Jesse Lipscombe, Emma Slipp, and Anton Lipovetsky, who also acts as musical director.
The Cultch presents The Search Party production of Stupid F*cking Bird at The Cultch’s Historic Theatre (1895 Venables St., Vancouver) from April 12-23. Visit thecultch.com for tickets and information.