Ibsen's Hedda Gabler played by the likes of Hollywood actresses' Ingrid Bergman and Cate Blanchett, may have been written over a century ago, but still raises relevant questions and finds takers among theatre audiences
Ibsen's Hedda Gabler played by the likes of Hollywood actresses' Ingrid Bergman and Cate Blanchett, may have been written over a century ago, but still raises relevant questions and finds takers among theatre audiences
Ditch soaps. If you want true drama, then drop in at Experimental Theatre this weekend for Hedda Gabler. "It's a great story with so many layers. Betrayal, lust, life, academia, self-destruction, ambitionu00a0-- are themes that find expression in this play," says actor Denzil Smith, who plays the scheming Judge Brack in the play. 
Sheeba Chadha at the rehearsal of Hedda Gabler
Henrik Ibsen's 1890 play revolves around the just married Hedda (Sheeba Chadha) who battles inner demons and societal pressures only to end up in an impossible situation. Just back from her honeymoon with husband George Tesman (Neeraj Kabi), an aspiring professor, she's already bored with her marriage when she meets ex-flame and brilliant academic Eilert Lovborg (Samar Sarila). To complicate matters further is the manipulative Judge Brack (Denzil Smith) who ingratiates himself to her and her husband in order reach a position of control over Hedda.
What does a 19th century play doing in 2010? "A lot of people seem to say the play is dated. But Hedda's conflicts are really outside the confines of geographical or chronological contexts," says Chadha.u00a0 The questions it raises are eternal. "It's about choices. How do you choose to lead your life? What do you pick?
Love? Honour?" she says. For Denzil Smith, "It's the angst of the character" that makes the play so universal. "It was considered dated even when we were college students. But we still found it fascinating," says Smith.
Often referred to as the female Hamlet, her conflicts and choices have intrigued many and been immortalised by screen and stage iconsu00a0-- Cate Blanchett won the Helpmann Award for Best Female actor in a play, in 2005. Needless to say it has been far from easy to play her. "She's complex, and very conflicted. She's not a character that can be defined easily and her persona is very hard to pin down. She's chimerical, really," says Chadha.
The play's complexity, however, hasn't turned away audiences. Just the younger ones perhaps. "It can't be denied that the play has a niche audience. We've had very good response from the audience, especially the 30-plus crowd. And since it has been taught for so many years, means a lot of literature students and young people from theatre have quite liked it too," signs off Smith.
On: Today and tomorrow, at 7 and 6.30 pm
At: NCPA Experimental Theatre, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point. Tickets: Rs 200
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