HEDDA Gabler was widely condemned as an immoral play when it was first performed in London in 1891.
The Stage proclaimed its leading character to be "not a woman but a thing; a beast degraded from womanhood; half an idiot and very much of a devil."
How times change, the play is now regarded as one of Ibsen's major works and as a landmark of real
ist theatre.
The role of Hedda Gabler is seen as one of the most intriguing and challenging roles in modern theatre.
This Next Best Thing production is a bit hit and miss, and direction (Will Bird and Julie Fancher) is uneven. However, there are some gripping set pieces – and even some comic business – along the way.
Zoe English gives a very good take on Hedda. Here is a woman who is "bored to death", believing that everything she touches becomes "mean and ludicrous."
Her power games still have the capacity to shock; she's an ice maiden with attitude. But trapped by the life she feels she must lead.
Philip Ashton is excellent throughout as Hedda's hapless, bungling academic of a husband. This is a very well-rounded performance. David Reid is rather too mannered to begin with as the manipulative Judge Brack, but he does have stage presence and there is some nicely judged playing between him and Hedda.
Good support from Jill McKennie as the saintly aunt Julianna. However, Greer Blaise
Furniss-Coates is altogether too frenetic as Thea Elvstead, and Will Bird is a bit too bland as the "incorrigible" Loevborg.
All in all, this is a decent take on a difficult play. Set design is very good but lighting merely adequate.
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