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Ibsen’s
Masterpice Is Brought Alive
Hedda Gabler, This is Not a Love Story
Newcastle Northern Stage
Until Wednesday 8th March 2017
By Henrik Ibsen
A new version adapted and directed by Selma Dimitrijevic
From the literal translation by Anne and Karin Bamborough
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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As
part of Northern Stage’s Queens of the
North season, Hedda Gabler – This is
not a love story is an intriguing tale of a marriage of two halves: a relationship
in which both of the protagonists have a different view of how it is going and
how to make it successful. This is a very watchable version of Henrick Ibsen’s
masterpiece.
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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With
throbbing music by composer and sound designer Scott Twynholm, Aunt Julie
(Libby Davison) is trying to prepare the dining room as maid Berte (Polly
Frame) is trying to restore it to the previous arrangement. There is clear
tension between these two. The happy honeymooning couple then return from their
6 month trip away. Dr Jørgen Tesman (Ed Gaughan) is brimming with excitement as
he has clearly seen the trip away as an opportunity to carry out further
academic research into old texts. His vivacious bride, former socialite, Hedda
Gabler is more circumspect about the couple’s time together.
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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The
couple soon have visitors. Jørgen’s former acquaintance Thea (Rachel Denning)
appears to warn that fellow writer Ejlert Løvborg (Scott Turnbull) is back in
town. Judge Brack (Donald McBride) also appears and invites the new groom to
attend one of his parties. This will leave former party girl Hedda stuck at
home playing the quiet obedient wife, a role she is not used to. She is the daughter of a general and was used
to being a gun-toting, horse-riding, party-throwing siren and then she ran out
of opportunity and now has Aunt Julie dropping big hints about starting a
family.
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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The
play follows a short period in the couple’s life and the tension is clear to
see. Hedda has desires and moves to ensure those events happen even though such
wishes might be at odds with her husband’s and, indeed, those of the audience.
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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The
play show cases powerful women. Victoria Elliott, as Hedda, struts around the
simple and effective single roomed set. It is clear too that Aunt Julie has
significant control over Hedda’s husband. By contrast Thea has suffered in the
past and is more willing to help and support now. Special mention should go to
Polly Frame who raised a smile each time she trooped on set with yet another
cup for a new visitor. The downtrodden maid had almost comic timing with her
usually non-verbal actions.
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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Tom
Piper’s set & costume design set the tone for a classic setting. Lizzie
Powell’s lighting broke up the action and worked really well.
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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The
sound was fine until the final monologue/outburst from Hedda. This happened at
the same time and the music was swelling up and it was a struggle at times to
hear the spoken parts.
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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For
much of the show, the production felt like a classic, traditional drama performance.
There is nothing wrong at all with that. The show succeeded in illustrating the
struggle for a woman to have a voice, to have a role, to be heard, especially
once a part of a couple. The actors gave us credible characters. For example Donald
McBride was the alpha Judge with friends in high places in contrast to the
capable academic, played by Ed Gaughan, who was willing to follow. Powerful
characters, and a good story, lead to a pleasing night at the theatre.
Review
by Stephen
Oliver
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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Cast & Creatives:
CASTLIBBY DAVISON - Aunt Julie
RACHEL DENNING - Thea
VICTORIA ELLIOTT - Hedda Gabler
POLLY FRAME - Berte
ED GAUGHAN - Tesman
DONALD MCBRIDE - Judge Brack
SCOTT TURNBULL - Ejlert Lövborg
CREATIVE TEAM
ADAPTOR AND DIRECTOR - Selma Dimitrijevic
TOM PIPER - Set & Costume Designer
LIZZIE POWELL - Lighting Designer
SCOTT TWYNHOLM - Sound Designer and Composer
TORY COPELAND - Assistant Director
REBEKAH BOWSHER - Regional Theatre Young Director's Scheme, Greyscale Placement
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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Tickets:
THU 16 FEB
- WED 8 MAR, 7.30pm
SAT 4 & TUE 7 MAR, 2pm
STRAIGHT FROM WORK performance WED 8 MAR, 6pm
SAT 4 & TUE 7 MAR, 2pm
STRAIGHT FROM WORK performance WED 8 MAR, 6pm
Captioned
performance Thu 2 Mar, 7.30pm
British
Sign Language performance
Fri 3 Mar, 7.30pm (with
interpreted Post-show discussion)
Sat 4 Mar, 7.30pm (with
interpreted Post-show discussion)
Tue 7 Mar, 2pm
Touch tour
- Sat 4 Mar, 12.30pm
Audio
Described performance - Sat 4 Mar, 2pm
Photo: Topher McGrillis
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Tue - Fri eves and Sat
matinees: £25 | £20.50 | £15.50
Sat eves: £26 | £20.50 |
£15.50
Students and Under 21s:
£13
You can book your ticket for both Dr Frankenstein and Hedda Gabler for just £30. More
info
For
full details or to book tickets online see www.northernstage.co.uk or call the
box office on 0191 230 5151.
Running
time:
2 hours 15 minutes (incl. interval)
Recommended Age: 12+
Post-show Discussion: Fri 3 and Sat 4 March, with BSL interpretation
Wed 8 Mar
Recommended Age: 12+
Post-show Discussion: Fri 3 and Sat 4 March, with BSL interpretation
Wed 8 Mar
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