SITE GUIDE
SEARCH
REVIEWS
REVIEW ARCHIVES
ADVERTISING AT CURTAINUP
FEATURES
NEWS
Etcetera and
Short Term Listings
LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway
NYC Restaurants
BOOKS and CDs
OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
California
New Jersey
DC
Philadelphia
Elsewhere
QUOTES
TKTS
PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS
LETTERS TO EDITOR
FILM
LINKS
MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
A CurtainUp Review
A Doll's House
|
It was fun to sit and work and earn money. I felt like a man.— Nora
|
Heddy Lahmann and Peter Mutino star in A Doll's House.
|
Bated Breath Theatre Company's inaugural production not only has superb acting, excellent direction and an innovative but totally appropriate set, it even has a new translation by the show's director and founder of Bated Breath, Helene Kvale.
And what a translation! Who would have thought Ibsen, the "father of modern drama, " who sometimes seems so antiquated today, could have his often stodgy dialogue turned into conversation that is poetic, passionate and contemporary, all at the same time?
Energized by this terrific translation, the cast, headed by the powerful Heddy Lahmann as Nora, creates an explosive reality that is only intensified by Mike Billings' abstract set. With its forced perspective and backstage scrim that lets the audience view the hovering male figures menacing Nora's sheltered life, the very stage seems to surround and stifle the submissive heroine.
Lahmann prances and pirouettes, wheedles and cajoles. She seems immensely satisfied with her life, despite the dark secret that will soon destroy her complacency and her happiness. She is especially strong in rendering Nora's transformation from a naíve young lady who has traded intellectual and emotional fulfillment for the good life into a mature woman willing to take the necessary risks to become independent.
Luke Daniels, in his fancy suit or elegant tux, is a particularly attractive Torvald, which makes it easy to understand why the flighty, seemingly superficial Nora would be so attractive to him in spite of his obnoxious, patronizing attitude. He's also an effective contrast to the pitiful Dr. Rank (the fine Nathan Caron) and the cunning Krogstad (made sympathetic by the talented Peter Mutino).
Hillary Parker holds her own as Nora's down-and-out friend Kristine, a vitally important, though underappreciated role. Her dignity and fortitude serve Nora as both an admonition and a frightening example of the future she faces without a husband.
The temptation to give Ibsen's realistic drama a magical, ambiguous or modern setting must be overwhelming to the modern director. Few efforts can come close to what Kvale has done. This production is not only startlingly innovative it is also magnificently effective.
A Doll's House was written at a time when a woman's job options were limited to sewing, embroidering and, occasionally, office work. Women like Kristine married they despised because they had a mother and brothers who were destitute and dependant on them. Women like Nora could not borrow money without their husband's consent and were reduced to forging signatures in an emergency.
Times have changed so much for women in the West that A Doll's House seems about as archaic as a horse and buggy making its way down Fifth Avenue. But when a production as fresh and lively, and yet completely free of gimmickry, as Bated Breath's hits the stage, we can joyfully suspend our cynicism and step uncritically back into Ibsen's world. That doesn't happen often enough, but when it does it shouldn't be missed.
|
A DOLL'S HOUSE By Henrik Ibsen Translated and directed by Helene Kvale Cast: Heddy Lahmann (Nora), Luke Daniels (Torvald), Hillary Parker (Kristine), Peter Mutino (Krogstad), Nathan Caron (Dr. Rank), Marie Saddlemire (Nanny), Thomas Wilson (Ivar) Set Design: Mike Billings Costume Design: Lucy Brown Movement Director: Greg Webster Running Time: 1 hour 10 minutes, with one 15 minute intermission Bated Breath Theatre Company Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street From 6/6/08; opening 6/11/08; closing 6/21/08 Wednesday- Monday at 7:30pm, matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm Tickets: $20 (212) 352-3101 Reviewed by Paulanne Simmons June 9, 2008 |
|
REVIEW FEEDBACK Highlight one of the responses below and click "copy" or"CTRL+C"
Paste the highlighted text into the subject line (CTRL+ V): Feel free to add detailed comments in the body of the email and state if you'd like your comments published in our letters section. |
Try onlineseats.com for great seats to
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical
South Pacific
In the Heights
Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical
South Pacific
In the Heights
Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide