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Hedda Gabler

Ibsen's classic drama of passion and desperation. Directed by Psyche Stott from the Old Vic production, starring Sheridan Smith and Adrian Scarborough.

Ibsen's classic drama of passion and desperation. Directed by Psyche Stott from the Old Vic production, starring Sheridan Smith and Adrian Scarborough.

Brian Friel's version of Hedda Gabler throws new light on its two female archetypes - Hedda, the beautiful trapped and doomed heroine; and Thea, the less socially admired, yet much freer, new woman. Both women ultimately take their fate into their own hands, in very different ways.

The play is set in the drawing room of the richly appointed new home to which George Tesman has brought his bride Hedda, after a lengthy honeymoon, spent mainly visiting research libraries for his current study on 'domestic craft and husbandry as practised in Holland and parts of Belgium in the tenth century'. The very different aspirations of husband and wife are soon apparent as a stream of visitors - family, friends, past lovers, and current admirers - visit them.

Henrik Ibsen was a major 19th century Norwegian playwright, often referred to as "the father of realism". His works include Brand, Peer Gynt, An Enemy of the People, Emperor and Galilean, A Doll's House, Ghosts, The Wild Duck, Rosmersholm and The Master Builder.

Brian Friel is a multi award winning Irish dramatist, author and director of the Field Day Theatre Company. Friel is best known for plays such as Philadelphia, Here I Come! And Dancing at Lughnasa.

Directed by Psyche Stott from the Old Vic production.

Producer: Polly Thomas
Executive producer: Melanie Harris
A Sparklab production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.

2 hours

Last on

Sat 9 Mar 2013 14:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Hedda Gabler Sheridan Smith
George Tesman Adrian Scarborough
Aunt Juliana Anne Reid
Thea Elvsted Fenella Woolgar
Bertha Buffy Davis
Producer Polly Thomas

Broadcast

  • Sat 9 Mar 2013 14:30

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