Thank you to all who attended the Blackcurrant Productions
We're Building A Doll's House event at Bread & Circus earlier this month, and especially to all who helped with earlier readings, contributed to the translation, or provided feedback afterward. Particular thanks go to the Royal Norwegian Embassy for their support for the project!
December 21 marks the 130th anniversary of the first performance of
A Doll's House at Det kongelige Teater in Copenhagen. At left, a photo from the Ibsen.net of the first
Nora, Betty Hennings, having one little macaroon...two at the most.
And, here, nearly all of the rest of the original cast -- Agnes N. Dehn as
Mrs. Linde, Peter W. Jerndoff as
Dr. Rank, Louise Phister as the
Nanny with the
Children, Emil Poulsen as
Torvald Helmer, and Sophus Petersen as
Nils Krogstad:
Below, the Blackcurrant cast reflects on these classic roles and their relationships, with photos kindly provided by Alex Naylor.
First,
Nora Helmer (Lara Martin, center) sees her old schoolmate
Kristine Linde's
(Erynn Brook) skepticism about her marriage to
Torvald Helmer (Rahaman Tunde Agiri). From Kristine's perspective, Erynn says, "I've known Nora since we were very young. She's always used her charm to get what she wanted, but it used to be a trick up her sleeve. Now, to see her living it day in day out, trapped and drowning in her own game: it's disheartening." "Kristine challenges Nora's notion of what her role is as a woman," Lara says, "causing Nora to feel threatened and envious, and to become aware that major aspects of herself have remained unexplored."
The Helmers have a
Nanny (Morgan Bargent) and "three lovely children" -- including
Ivar (Philip Borg) -- as well a close friend in the dying
Dr. Rank (also played by Philip), who visits each and every day. "Playing Dr. Rank, I could sense his deep regret and anger at his place in the world. He has a smart mind trapped in a decaying body, with a clock ticking for all the things he wants to do, like telling Nora he loves her. Playing Ivar was the nicest release after that -- he's just a kid and gets to do whatever he wants."
The change of course for the Helmer marriage is set when a fateful letter is handed to the
Maid (Jennifer Robson, who also plays little
Emmy). "Sensitive to her environment, she doesn't say much," Jennifer says of the
Maid, "but knows more about what's going
on between the characters than she reveals" -- a contrast to
Emmy, who is "a miniature of her mother and very self-indulgent":
The letter also precipitates
Kristine's reunion with
Nils Krogstad (Adriano Sobretodo Jr.). "In Shakespeare, either everyone gets married or everyone dies, either it's a comedy or a tragedy," Adriano remarks. "
A Doll's House is interesting because it has two relationships going in opposite directions, with one falling apart and the other with love rekindled. The main story is bleak and pessimistic, but the Kristine-Krogstad subplot is hopeful."
