MO wrote “Imagine, in 1889, an upper middle-class couple, husband and wife, dressing for the theatre. They know that Mr Ibsen has a reputation for challenging his audiences, even for being rather controversial, and they hope that his new play, A Doll’s House, will not disappoint. But little do they know what is in store. For here, quite literally, stands a play ready to change their lives.
At the heart of Ibsen’s craft was the ability to pose huge questions about the way that society worked. He did it not through any direct use of politics, or any epic plots, but in domestic settings familiar to the people in the theatre audience of the day, through the words of people recognisably real. In the case of A Doll’s House, he posed alarming questions about the value of a male-dominated society and about the need for people to find truth in their own souls.
Perhaps, in some ways, society has moved in the last hundred years. But the fundamental questions posed by Henrik Ibsen’s play may seem frighteningly familiar to many of us seeing it today.”
Publicity #1: A Doll’s House
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: October 3 1997 issue – page 15
Text Header: Theatre Company enters Arts Council drama contest “Wick hopes their House is a winner”
Text: Content
WICK Theatre Company will be hoping to impress the judges with their production of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House for the Brighton and Hove Arts Council Drama contest.
The play, directed by Margaret Ockenden, will be performed at The Barn Theatre, Southwick, from October 8 to 11 at 7.45pm.
The production explores restrictive Victorian society. Nora and Torvald Helmer have the ideal marriage until the actions of the sinister Nils Krogstad force Nora to see what she thought was the perfect marriage is in fact an unequal relationship with someone she comes to view as a stranger. The plays’ author, Henrik Ibsen, resolved the problem in the way he thought practical and rise questions about personal freedom and constraints of living in a civilised society. It shocked audiences when it was first performed in 1879.
Katalin Szeless plays Nora and Tony Browning joins the cast as Torvald. John Garland plays Krogstad and Christine is played by Heather Richards.
Review #1: A Doll’s House
Publication: Wick Newsletter
Publication Data: November 1997
Correspondent: Lisa Trump by letter
Text: Content
“Congratulations to everyone at The Wick Theatre Company for a fabulous production of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. This was the first show I have seen by the Company and I was delighted to find such am intense and complex piece chosen, and performed in the pleasant intimacy of the Barn Theatre.
Katalin Szeless’ portrayal of Nora was astounding – her skill and energy carried the entire show almost independently. She encapsulated both the strengths and frailties of the character with an expressive honesty, ably assisted by wonderful performances by Joan Braddock and Derek Fraser.
I did feel that the minimalist nature of some of Ibsen’s text was lost and confused in parts; but the core of the piece – the struggle of a woman torn between the man in her world who represented and controlled her reputation, and her loyalties and responsibilities – was captured by some strong performances.
In all, an exciting and courageous production of a challenging play. Well done everyone and I look forward to future shows.
Good luck to those involved at the awards evening. I hope we come away with an award or two.”
