The theme of the Stratford Festival’s 2024 season is ‘A World Elsewhere,’ with artistic director Antoni Cimolino wanting audience members to be transported far, far away by their productions.
For audiences going to see this year’s Hedda Gabler, that would be to the “depths of hell and back,” according to director Molly Atkinson.
Or, more specifically, into the life of a 19th century woman.
Hedda Gabler is known as the masterwork of master-playwright Henrik Ibsen, and gives a complex portrait of female identity and independence.
When her honeymoon wraps up, the titular character Hedda finds herself already bored of her respectable husband. She seizes her chance of happiness when an old rival arrives on the scene, wreaking havoc on everyone in the process.
It was originally penned in the 19th century, but this new version is by Patrick Marber, adapted from a literal translation by Karin and Ann Bamborough.
As Atkinson said, the new version does a lot to modernize the text, staying true to the original while also paring it down.
“When I read this in theatre school it wasn’t my favourite,” Atkinson said. “I never really connected to it … but I have to say, I don’t know whether it’s Patrick’s script that has made me understand it a little more, maybe have a little bit more empathy towards Hedda.”
It could also be where she is in life now, Atkinson said. It’s been 20 years since theatre school and she’s married and has kids now.
“You’re in your 40s and … ‘oh right, that’s what that was about.’”
There is perhaps one question most central to this play: is Gabler a victim of circumstance and time or the author of her own destruction?
Gabler is a complex character, oftentimes contradictory and questionable. Likely each audience member will have a different opinion on her, maybe even a different opinion of her scene to scene.
But that’s exactly what Atkinson wants.
“Can you be both at the same time?” Atkinson wondered. “As a director, I trust and I invite the audience to watch the play and decide what they think … that's the kind of theatre I like to go and watch.”
Hedda Gabler opens May 30 at the Tom Patterson Theatre, running until Sept. 28.
Director’s Notes is an ongoing series from StratfordToday, featuring interviews with Stratford Festival directors; discussing their project, their scope, and their goals for this year’s production.
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