English Theatre Utrecht: Hedda Gablertra

Lees in het Nederlands

Having already brought cultural works of The UK and France to the Randstad with “Guards! Guards!” and “Cyrano de Bergerac”, English Theatre Utrecht (ETU) announces that Norwegian author Hendrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” will be performed this May in Utrecht

In the cold recesses of 1950s Norway General Gabler’s daughter Hedda and her husband Tesman return from their honeymoon. Tesman sees a bright future yet fails to see the disdain Hedda has for her new life. Her mask of frivolity and mischief hides contempt for those who trapped her in her life of upper class boredom or worse: Thrive despite her pain.

One day fate brings an old classmate of Hedda’s home. Thea is everything Hedda finds wrong with others: Unable to see what makes life unfair yet still finding meaning. As a further insult, Thea’s partner is Hedda’s old flame Løvborg. Together they thrive but underneath Løvborg has a spark that, if left unchecked, will lead to self-destruction.

Over the course of a day Hedda tries to stoke competition in everyone around her, but in her attempts to test the limits she loses the control over others that she desperately cherishes until one act of defiance is all she has left.

Hedda Gabler is considered one of the most complex roles for female presenting actors, on the same level as Hamlet. Seeing the show, it is no surprise that Hendrik Ibsen’s discussion of thoughts about nature vs nurture created a mercurial lead at the knife’s edge of being redeemed or not.

Shows feature a double cast and discounts are available for students and anyone wanting to see both casts. All shows are performed in English.