Hedda is an intelligent and ambitious woman, trapped in the stifling environment of a bourgeois 19th-century marriage. When writer Eilert Loevborg, an old flame returns to Hedda's life with a masterpiece that might threaten her husband's career, Hedda decides to take drastic and fatal action.
Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) was a Norwegian playwright and poet whose realistic, symbolic and often controversial plays revolutionised European theatre. He is widely regarded as the father of modern drama. His acclaimed plays include A Doll's House, Ghosts, Hedda Gabler, An Enemy of the People and The Pillars of the Community. His centenary is celebrated in 2006.
Gr 9 Up-Ibsen's classic is well served by the talents of Juliet Stevenson and seven other British actors, all veterans of the Royal Shakespeare Company, stage, and film. With excellent diction and generally convincing emotion, the polished cast conveys the dark despair that touches everyone in the play, and eventually overwhelms Hedda. Brief, but pleasant music gently marks the end of each act, and sound quality is good throughout. Exceptionally complete liner notes make it easy to find a specific track, and there's plenty of playbill-style information about the performers and the play. While this recordings is not a must buy, it will be a helpful audio component to classes studying the work of Norway's great 19th century playwright.-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
A radio version of the classic Ibsen play, this production benefits from a great British cast led by Juliet Stevenson as Hedda Gabler. The play, as with all Ibsen dramas, is a moving blend of realism and symbolism. The tragic story is universal and timeless, conveying emotions so honest that every listener will relate in some way to the longing and desperation so eloquently expressed by the title character. Stevenson lends the perfect nuance to the role of Hedda. Highly recommended for theater collections in public and academic libraries.-Mark Pumphrey, Polk Cty. P.L., Columbus, NC Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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