POOR Konstantin - he’s not a happy man.

Then again he does appear in a Chekhov play and we all know cheerfulness is strictly forbidden in these sombre pieces.

Even the humour, and there is some, feels strangely out of place. But Konstantin isn’t totally unsympathetic, struggling to get close to a mother, a fading stage star, who seems more bothered about herself than her frustrated and unhappy son.

It seems a strange choice for the Library Theatre Company to go out on such a sombre note, for this is its last production under the LTC banner before it becomes HOME.

While The Seagull is a slow burner the relationship between misery guts, his mother Arkadina and Trigorin kept me interested. Things get even more complicated when Konstantin and Trigorin finally themselves drawn to the same woman.

This is the final production by the consistently brilliant Chris Honer and once again this director par excellence manages to cooax performances from his cast so convincing you forget they’re actors.

Ben Allen, Susie Trayling and Graeme Hawley particularly impress as the afore mentioned trio but the entire ensemble plays its part in making a play which is anything but action-packed eminently watchable.

I would like to thank Chris Honer for more than 25 years of fabulous theatre - as well as being at the very top of his craft he’s also one of the most pleasant people it has been my privilege to meet. Rick Bowen * Until March 8. The box office is on 0843 208 6000. Star rating - ***