Peterborough appreciates good art and the current production of Henrik Ibsen’s historic treasure, Hedda Gabler, fits the bill. Directed by Bea Quarrie for The Peterborough Theatre Guild on Rogers St. in East City, the production offers the opportunity to experience a great ensemble piece of theatre.
Henrik Ibsen was one of the first playwrights to explore the role of women in society. Originally written in Norway in 1890, the outrageous and impulsive Hedda gave a fresh face to the literary portrayal of women. Today, acclaimed Director Bea Quarrie sets her production in 1938 while the overshadowing threat of a European war reflects woman’s domestic world.
The performance boasts a uniformly strong cast, permitting a high level of interaction and attention to the deeper implications of the script. Lead actor Alex Saul brings the capriciousness and deliberation needed to illuminate the role of Hedda, while Kait Dueck embodies Thea, a woman fighting for her independence. As Berthe, the maid, Susan Gontier holds the characters together and facilitates the space between the horrors and the hope, and Jennie Ryan as Aunt Juliana represents a world that Hedda can’t accept. The male characters provide the symphony of adoration desperately needed by Hedda: Mark Paton as the bumbling George Tesman, Christopher Spear as the threatening Judge Brack, and David Russell as the tortured Eilert Lovborg. The show is a must-see for anyone interested in the complexities of human relationships.
Hedda Gabler runs from January 11 to 26. Please contact Peterborough Theatre Guild at info@theatreguild.org or phone (705) 745-4211.