Ghosts
With a title like “Ghosts”, one might be forgiven for thinking that the current show at the Duchess Theatre stands up alongside the likes of “The Woman in Black” as a horror story with a suspenseful plot. However, when Henrik Ibsen sat down to pen what would become one of his most famous works, he was thinking of hauntings of a different kind as a woman fights off the ghosts of her past in the 19th century.
He penned the piece in 1882 and by the 1890s the Norwegian playwright’s production was premiering in the capital. It was an instantly popular play and its damning interpretation of 19th century society and the corrupt morals that governed it proved to be a decisive factor in its longevity. It means that as it returns to the stage of the Duchess Theatre, it is likely to be as popular as ever.
Two of the stars that are featuring in the production are Lesley Sharp and Iain Glen, who have both appeared in numerous popular stage shows and television productions over successful careers.
Firstly there is Sharp, who appears after her success in the Vaudeville Theatre’s recent revival of “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” in 2009. It featured Diana Vickers in the role made famous by Jane Horrocks and saw the young star nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award. Sharp’s other credits have included the likes of “The God of Hell” at the Donmar Warehouse in 2005 and “Harper Regan” on the Cottesloe stage of the National Theatre in 2008, whilst her film credits include the likes of “Clocking Off” in 2000 and “Afterlife” in 2005.
He co-star Iain Glen has also appeared on the stage and received nominations for Laurence Olivier Awards for his appearances in “Martin Guerre” at the Prince Edward Theatre and “The Blue Room” at the Donmar Warehouse. Audiences may also have seen him in the likes of “Hedda Gabler” at the Duke of York’s Theatre in 2005 and Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” at the Gielgud Theatre in 2006. For the screen, he has been seen in “Kingdom of Heaven” in 2005 and “Resident Evil: Extinction” in 2007.
“Ghosts” follows the character of Mrs Alving as she continues her late-husband’s work at an orphanage in 1881. Alving, however, is not distraught at the passing of her husband and his philanthropic ways will not be missed by her as she consigns him to the past. However, her past comes back to haunt her when her son Osvald returns from his travels gripped with syphilis and madly in love with Regina Engstrand. Alving knows more than she is letting on about Engstrand, fearing that her son is in love with someone closer to him that he thinks.
“Ghosts” is at the Duchess Theatre from Tuesday 23rd February 2010 (previews from Thursday 11th February 2010) to Saturday 15th May 2010.
