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"The Seagull" is a play by Anton Chekhov that relies on an ensemble cast of fully-developed characters. The play was initially a failure, with the opening night being a famous disaster. However, when Konstantin Stanislavski directed it in 1898 for his Moscow Art Theatre, the play became a triumph. Chekhov intended the play to be a comedy, but Stanislavski's direction caused it to be perceived as a tragedy. The play follows the story of a retired senior civil servant, Pyotr Sorin, and his guests at his country estate. The play deals with themes of unrequited love, artistic expression, and the human condition. The play has been adapted and translated multiple times, with some adaptations being set in modern times. The play has also been adapted into a musical and a film. Chekhov's collaboration with Stanislavski proved crucial to the creative development of both men.