An evening at the theatre – Hedda Gabler at Northern Stage (REVIEW)

*** REVIEW ***

Two date nights in one week. We must have the Grandparents staying with us!

Last week we thoroughly enjoyed a delicious meal at one of Newcastle’s newest restaurants. Date night two, however, is a very different occasion as we had received an invitation to the press night at Northern Stage for the production of their new version of Hedda Gabler, This is Not a Love Story.

Northern Stage is located in Newcastle city centre, two minutes from the main shopping area, behind the Newcastle University building, King’s Gate. For anyone who doesn’t know, Northern Stage is the largest producing theatre company in the northeast, and one of the top-eleven producing theatres in the UK. 

It has a reputation for fresh and relevant productions of modern classics that attract audiences of all ages. We saw James and the Giant Peach there in December and will be going to see The Twits next month with the boys.

We are not regular theatre-goers, but a few times a year we make the effort for what is a different night out. The last few shows we have seen include 'Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour', 'Land of our Fathers' and 'Broken Biscuits'. 

We do enjoy going to the theatre, though. Theatre can be a magical experience, a live performance right in front of your eyes, it is escapism, can bring joy and laughter or understanding and makes you appreciate the hard work and dedication of the actors, directors, set designers, production staff, etc. that bring amazing shows to the stage time and time again.

On arrival, we enjoyed a drink in the Foyer Bar, where you can also enjoy a range of classic and Mediterranean dishes as well as daily specials using locally sourced produce, in McKenna’s Café Bar, which also offers a range of draught and local bottled beers, wines, spirits and a specialist gin list. You can take your drinks into the theatre with you. During the interval, we also enjoyed an ice-cream each - the chocolate and sea salt flavour was really tasty.

Hedda Gabler

So to Hedda Gabler. Written by Henrik Ibsen, 'Hedda Gabler' is not a play I had seen before or really knew anything about, but after reading the description I was intrigued. 

Often mistaken as a love story, the 19th-century play actually provides what many people think is the greatest stage role ever written for a woman. 

The story is all about how married life is not what Hedda Gabler signed up for. The entire play takes place in the Tesman's living room, Jürgen Tesman and Hedda Tesman (nee Hedda Gabler) are newlyweds. They have just returned from a six-month honeymoon.

The play was described as being a funny, shocking and powerful exploration of the nature of identity, and the desperation and absurdity of trying to be something you’re not. 

It was certainly that.

On Stage

The cast for this Northern Stage and Greyscale co-production, is the same as those in the adaptation of Frankenstein, also showing at Northern Stage at the moment – on different days. It also includes one of the mums from the boys' school, Libby Davison, who was also in The Bill. She plays Aunt Julie in this play.

They all give amazing performances throughout. The set design is dramatic, bright, and the use of colour creates a beautiful, yet simple stage set. The characters are powerful, engaging and with little actual action keep you engrossed by their delivery of the dialogue throughout the play. There are elements of drama, shock and humour throughout too.

The lead role is played by Victoria Elliott, who is taking on a very different role from the last time I saw her in TV series Hebburn. Here she holds everyone's attention and commands the stage, which she is very nearly on for the entire play, which is 2 hrs 15 mins including an interval. 

Her character Hedda Gabler is an intelligent, unpredictable, and dishonest woman who is not afraid to manipulate her husband and friends, to control them. She is the daughter of a general; a gun-toting, horse-riding, party-throwing siren, who is now not enjoying life as a quiet, predictable wife of an academic. She wants to live a beautiful life, but can't quite fulfil that desire.

Her husband, Jürgen Tesman, is an amiable, intelligent academic, trying unsuccessfully to be an author. He always tries to act appropriately, whatever the situation. His academic rival is a genius, Ejlert Lövoborg. He has published a book to rave reviews but soon returns to his old ways of alcoholism.

Judge Brack is a supposed friend of both Tesman and Hedda, who he visits regularly. He has connections around the city and enjoys having control over other people's affairs. Mrs Elvsted is a meek but passionate woman, who although married to someone she initially went to work for, grew attached to Ejlert, acting as his personal secretary and aiding him in his research and writing. A role she repeats with Jürgen Tesman. 

Aunt Julie, who brought up Jürgen, is of a different class to his new wife, which does not please Hedda; and Berte the servant, who tries hard but continually disappoints Hedda, make up the cast.

Hedda hopes that life can be beautiful, can measure up to a certain standard, regardless of practicalities like professional success or failure. The play ends with Hedda aiming to alleviate her world-weariness and sense of tedium with her life.

No, Hedda Gabler is not a love story but it does take you on a journey through the lead character's tangled relationships and life, right up to the end.

You can take advantage of the Northern Stage great money-saving deal. Book your ticket for Dr Frankenstein and Hedda Gabler for just £30.

Dr Frankenstein 

23, 24, 25, 28 Feb and 1, 9, 10 & 11 March Tickets from £15.50

An edge of your seat thriller, Frankenstein tells a great story of power and powerlessness, fear and revenge, creative possibility and destructive power.

Hedda Gabler, This is Not a Love Story 

22 Feb and 2, 3, 4, 7 & 8 March Tickets from £15.50

A funny, shocking and powerful version of Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece, opening up the desperation and absurdity of trying to live as a thing that you are not.

We had a lovely evening. A night out at the theatre makes for a great date night and for plenty of discussion and talking points on the way home too. For full listing information about what to see at Northern Stage check out the Northern Stage website.

Image credits: Topher McGrillis.

When did you last go to the theatre?

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