Nottingham does culture quite well for being a smaller city. We have already been to a few events at the Royal Concert Hall. Hedda Gabler was my first event at the Theatre Royal.
I was intrigued by the posters around the city featuring a picture of Rosamund Pike, a relatively-well-known actress, holding up two pistols. Also, I felt some remorse about not having already seen the play. Back in high school, my friend Heather had an internship at the Roundabout Theatre in New York City while Hedda Gabler was on. I did not go to see it then and I had wanted to. It was a little expensive for me at the time, and Heather was an usher. But, the nosebleed seats for Hedda Gabler, at £15 here, seemed affordable.
Overall, it was worth seeing. I would encourage others to attend while it is still touring here or in its future locations. Educated adults will like it. Pike does a great job as the complex Gabler. Robert Glenister successfully portrayed himself as an odious newlywed and scholar. I really loathed him from the moment he sprung into the single-room set. I did not even need Gabler’s cues about her resentment of her husband. I did not find the Judge character as odious as I should have, however. So it took me a while to understand that Gabler really was stuck in a horrific triangle that was more about power than lust or love.
The playwright, Ibsen, was not a happy man. I can appreciate that, especially as I am happy to have a model that I would not want to emulate. I was impressed by the parents who shepherded their teenagers to see the play. In spite of the dark material, everyone was focused on the action.
The nosebleed seats were just fine. Perhaps they were a little rickety. The theatre is overdue for a fresh coat of paint. But, I certainly look forward to seeing more touring theatrical events here. According to the internet, this version of Hedda Gabler is headed to Oxford next before setting up camp, for a longer period, in the West End of London.
We’re off to see it tomorrow night (Thursday) as a friend works there. No discount but she can get us tickets without us having to sort ourselves out.
Glad it was good; we’re really looking forward to seeing it.