A Dale Teater Kompani production of Ibsen’s play ‘Little Eyolf’ at the Riverside Studios, London, will run from 17 January to 12 February. This is one of Ibsen’s rarely performed plays in which a tragic accident ignites an explosion of unexpressed resentment and desire that exposes the weak foundations of a marriage.
10/01/2006 :: Alfred Allmers has spent the summer walking in the mountains in order to finish his long-awaited book. At home his wife and sister welcome his return, when a tragedy reveals the fragile foundations of the Allmers’ marriage. It is a biting portrait of a marriage poisoned by self-doubt and self-delusion that illuminates Ibsen's reputation as a precursor to Freud and illustrates why his characters continue to resonate with today’s audience.
In this new adaptation of the play, translated and directed by Terje Tveit, the raw expression of emotional and psychological isolation is accompanied by a rich visual and verbal imagery that explores the life of the natural world into which the human drama extends.
‘Little Eyolf’ was previously performed by Dale Teater Kompani at the Rosemary Branch Theatre in 2003. The company’s aim has always been to present Ibsen in an innovative way that encourages socially inclusive audiences and not just those already committed to the subject.
Henrik Ibsen (1828 - 1906) is one of the greatest names in world literature. He was a central figure in the modern break-through in the intellectual life of Europe, and is considered the father of modern drama. His plays are still highly topical, and continue to be staged in all parts of the world. It is said that Ibsen is the most frequently performed dramatist in the world after Shakespeare. Ibsen had altogether 26 plays and one collection of poetry published.
With or without a centenary, Ibsen is regularly performed in the UK. The centenary year will, nevertheless, represent a unique opportunity to highlight how Ibsen as a dramatist has been re-invented on the stage again and again. Ibsen’s universal ideas and timeless psychology have stood the test of time and are as relevant today as they were during his life.
The official Ibsen Year will be opened in Oslo in mid-January and will be followed by a month of Ibsen events in London, including a mini-symposium, film and an image based exhibition at the Riverside Studios. Check back regularly to www.norway.org.uk/ibsen for updates about new Ibsen events across the UK.
‘Little Eyolf’
17 January - 12 February
Riverside Studios
Crisp Road, Hammersmith
London W6 9RL
Box office: 020 8237 1111
Tickets wil be available from the end of December - check with Riverside Studios' website.
Ibsen talks and seminar
Dale Teater Kompani is coordinating and arranging two Ibsen talks at the Riverside Studios during the performing weeks of 'Little Eyolf' and a seminar, involving a variety of Ibsen scholars, to shed light on his work in general and 'Little Eyolf' in particular. The events will be a stimulating, informative and entertaining experience for anyone with an interest in Ibsen.
The speakers at the pre-show talks and the seminar will be as follows:
Pre-performance talks:
- Wednesday 25 January – Professor Gunilla Anderman (University of Surrey)
- Wednesday 1 February - Dr Marie Wells (University College London)
Seminar - Saturday 11 February – 10am to 1pm
- 10.00 Assistant Professor Anne-Marie Rekdal (Volda University College, Norway)
- 10.40 Professor Laura Caretti (University of Siena, Italy)
- 11.20 break
- 11.40 Professor Frode Helland (Ibsen Centre, University of Oslo, Norway)
- 12.20 Professor Janet Garton (University of East Anglia)
- Chair for the morning: Dr Marie Wells (University College London)
- There will then be a matinee performance of Little Eyolf at 2.30pm followed by a post show discussion led by Professor Caretti and finally an evening performance of the play at 8pm.
Reviews of Dale's Ibsen productions include:
“This production is pacy proof that Ibsen's understanding of people, and the desperate things they do in the search for fulfilment, can outshine the gloom."
- Time Out
“What is remarkable is the fluid choreography that Tveit has brought to the play.”
- Times Literary Supplement
A Doll’s House:
"You can feel the zig-zags of electricity on stage"
Metro
“This is a production that continues to resonate long after the noise of the slammed door has faded.”
Camden New Journal
"...a cohesive and coherent production with energy to burn"
Time Out
Pillars of Society:
“The central performances are simply outstanding.”
Hackney Gazette
"Critic's Choice - Five Best Productions Nationwide"
The Independent
Little Eyolf:
“This production is pacy proof that Ibsen's understanding of people, and the desperate things they do in the search for fulfilment, can outshine the gloom."
Time Out
“What is remarkable is the fluid choreography that Tveit has brought to the play.”
Times Literary Supplement
Rosmersholm:
“This latter day Ibsen play hasn't been given the big West End treatment yet but on tonight's evidence perhaps a swift transfer is in order.”
Camden New Journal
“Terje Tveit's bold, expressionistic staging”
Time Out