Review by Donald Hollins A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen at Theatre Royal Bath
THIS is the sixth summer residency of the Peter Hall theatre company at the Theatre Royal and Ibsen's great play is one of five works in the repertoire.
Ibsen expects complete attention from audiences - his plays are not easy.
As in A Doll's House, they deal with themes that are as relevant today as in the late 19th century.
Ibsen wrote: "A woman cannot be herself in modern society, with laws made by men and with prosecutors and judges who assess feminine conduct from a masculine stand point." Yet this play is not just about the role (or lack of a role) for women but has wider implications. Its theme is the need for everybody to discover the sort of person he or she really is and to persevere in becoming that person.
So Nora, the doll-wife of Torvald Helmer, who throughout the play is seen as shallow and frivolous and always seeking to please her stern husband ( who is forever referring to her as his skylark or his squirrel) shatters him at the end of the play by her decision to leave him and the children. She has to go into the world to discover herself, for, as Ibsen wrote, " ...it would be immoral for her to continue living with Helmer."
Simon Higlett's set design is ingenious, with the audience able to see not only the living room but the front door and letter box that are so crucial to the action.
In the very demanding role of Nora, Catherine McCormack is seldom off stage. On the whole she convinces in the role but I found her mannerisms rather excessive and overdone at times.
Although surely physically miscast as Nora's pompous and controlling husband, Finbar Lynch gives a thoughtful and convincing performance. Anthony Howell's Krogstad rather lacks the necessary menace but the Dr Rank of Christopher Ravenscroft is a plausible portrait. Susie Trayling as Mrs Linde, suitably contrasted in appearance, dress and personality with Nora, but somehow her voice does not fit the role. The play is cleverly directed by Peter Hall but for much of the time the lighting is too dim, even for the admittedly rather grey and austere room.
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