A bold new chapter for performing arts in regional Victoria begins this June, as Castlemaine’s newest theatre company, The Ravens Theatre Company, launches its inaugural production: The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, in a new adaptation by Anya Reiss.
Originally staged by the National Theatre in London, Reiss’ acclaimed adaptation brings new immediacy and a contemporary resonance to Chekhov’s timeless masterpiece — a play of love, art, ambition and the quiet devastations of human connection.
Founded in Castlemaine in 2026, The Ravens Theatre Company is a newly formed professional ensemble committed to bringing high-quality theatre to regional audiences. The company brings together a dynamic team of local and nationally experienced artists, including Tim Heath (Theatre Royal, The Basics), actor Shelley Krape (The Nugget), director Rob Jorritsma, and Hannah Jeffcoat (Wonderpants), alongside a passionate group of local performers.
Their debut production features a stellar local cast: Kevin Dee, Michael Treloar, Tammy McCarthy, Charles Campbell Lloyd, Neetha Nambiar and Lloyd Dodsworth.
The Seagull will be performed at The Phee Broadway Theatre, with opening night on June 12.
Tim Heath, co-founder of The Ravens Theatre Company, said they were incredibly proud of what they had been able to build in such a short time.
“And bringing together a remarkable group of artists to create something genuinely special,” he said.
“What’s most exciting is being able to bring a work like The Seagull to regional audiences who so rarely get access to professional theatre — and this year, with no theatre in the Castlemaine State Festival, that gap feels even more pronounced. We’re here to help change that.”
A cornerstone of modern theatre, The Seagull explores the tensions between generations, the longing for artistic success, and the fragility of unrequited love — all rendered with Chekhov’s signature blend of humour and heartbreak.
This debut marks an exciting moment for Castlemaine, a town renowned for its creative spirit yet currently without a resident professional theatre company. The Ravens aim to change that — building a sustainable, locally rooted organisation that brings compelling, high-calibre productions to the region.
Tickets are now on sale.
For more information and bookings, visit: theravenstheatrecompany.org
