Review: SHOOTING HEDDA GABLER, Rose Theatre Kingston
Photo credit: Andy Paradise
A play about making a film of a play, Shooting Hedda Gabler is multilayered to say the least! This reframing of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play brings the story into the 21st Century.
We travel to Norway where maverick director, Henrik, is shooting a film adaptation of Hedda Gabler. In the title role as Hedda is an ex-child actress trying to gain some artistic credibility and escape Hollywood following an incident involving the paparazzi. She is joined by co-stars Jørgen, playing her husband, friend Thea and old flame Ejlert. As the filming continues, the tension rises and the lines between truth and reality become blurred.
Written by Nina Segal, following conversations born out of the ‘Me Too’ movement, she taps into the zeitgeist and creates a slick and funny, but chilling commentary on modern filmmaking. There is an intimacy coordinator and therapist on set and the 1st AD, Berta, tries her hardest to regulate the use of the prop guns. The play and its purpose are intriguing and as the story unfolds, one can’t help but wonder if a better knowledge of the source material would increase your enjoyment. There are perhaps too many topics on the agenda to fully interrogate them all and there are moments when the serious issues are trivialised, but maybe this is deliberate?
The dedicated cast, led by Antonia Thomas as Hedda, are excellent. Thomas delivers a compelling and nuanced performance as a woman learning the power of her actions. Christian Rubeck is menacing as the domineering director Henrik. Joshua James (Jørgen), Matilda Bailes (Thea), Anna Andresen (Berta) and Avi Nash (Ejlert) complete the cast and like their complex characters, their performances are captivating. A special shoutout must go to the dialect coach as the accents, especially the Scandinavian, are flawless. There are two Scandinavian natives in the cast and you cannot tell who they are.
Directed by Jeff James, Shooting Hedda Gabler is visually striking and stylish. Rosanna Vize’s stark white set, save for a red sofa, is the perfect canvas for strong themes and performances. The set is on two levels, allowing the actors to stay on stage but out of the action which furthers the illusion of Hedda feeling watched. The tension is elevated during the scene changes by thumping techno music and flashing coloured lights. Hansjörg Schmidt’s lighting design cleverly uses strobe to signify when cameras are rolling.
Shooting Hedda Gabler is a play fascinated by truth and it certainly holds up a harsh mirror to the film making industry. This dark and dynamic reimagining is high concept and high drama.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Sophie Luck
Shooting Hedda Gabler plays at Rose Theatre Kingston until 21 October, with further information here.