THE LADY FROM THE SEA. To 31 May.
London.
THE LADY FROM THE SEA
by Henrik Ibsen a version by Frank McGuinness from a literal translation by Charlotte Barslund.
Arcola Theatre 27 Arcola Street E8 2DJ To 31 May 2008.
Mon-Sat 8pmm Mat Sat 3pm.
Runs 2hr 35min One interval.
TICKETS: 020 7503 1646.
www.aqrcolatheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 3 May.
A startlingly modern play as well as one of its period.
There’s a fine contrast between an Ibsen male and female protagonist at the Arcola this spring. Whereas An Enemy of the People’s title character Thomas Stockmann, was all about action, Ellida Wangel lives in her reactions to others. Yet her sense of a self as someone making decisions, having free-will is central to Ibsen’s play.
Around this consciously-stated theme there’s an equally involving sense of the unconscious, the sea as metaphor for instinct, and depths of being that are potentially engulfing or renewing. Ellida’s caught between the sea of her early home and the firm land-locked life she lives with her doctor husband Wangel, while the teacher Arnholm and febrile wannabe artist Lyngstrand look set to impose male expectations on Wangel’s two daughters by his first wife, just as her husband’s talk of duty and protection stifles Ellida.
There are two curiosities in Hannah Eidinow’s production. One is Chris Moran’s Lynstrand, who’s too foolish, the other Christopher Obi’s Stranger – the man from the sea, and from Ellida’s past, who stands outside reason and law in his hold on her. He’s so considerate, it’s hard to see the pull he has on her. The choice he offers her needs to interact with a magnetic pull that’s missing in this soft-spoken characterisation (the recent Birmingham Rep production made this point forcefully).
That leaves a lot that’s good; the contrast between Alison McKenna’s determined but reasonable Bolette and her young sister Hilda, an instinctive live-wire given her own life-energy by Fiona O’Shaughnessy. Jonathan Hackett is utter reason as Wangel, yet rising to a temper at moments of threat, while Sean Campion is a suitably nervous Arnholm.
Centrally, Lia Williams gives Ellida a wide emotional range. Seen first in white towelling after a bathe, then in sea-green dress, Williams shows the shock, hope and uncomprehended wonder at her own feelings, the tension between will and desire.
Jason Southgate isolates the audience on three islands round the Arcola’s main space, planks and rocks suggesting water as a metaphorical presence, with only a corner arbour as a safe haven from the flow of restless human urges.
Dr Wangel: Jonathan Hackett.
Ellida Wangel: Lia Williams.
Bolette: Alison McKenna.
Hilde: Fiona O’Shaughnessy.
Arnholm: Sean Campion.
Lyngstrand: Chris Moran.
Ballested: Jim Bywater.
Stranger: Christopher Obi.
Director: Hannah Eidinow.
Designer: Jason Southgate.
Lighting: Michael Nabarro.
Sound: Giles Perring.
Composer: Melanie Pappenheim.
Costume: Lorna Ritchie.
Assistant director: Christos Chanios.
2008-05-08 00:53:57