‘It’s definitely a dolls’ house’, I thought, as I took my seat and admired the stage at The Old Fire Station for Oxford Theatre Guild’s (OTG) latest production. Red flock wall paper, polished dark wooden furniture, that eery, unlived-in feeling – just the right setting then for the story of Henrik Ibsen’s controversial 1879 play ‘A Doll’s House’. ‘It’s not all black and white’ OTG give Ibsen’s controversial play ‘A Doll’s House’ a fresh look through a coercive lens, at OFS
‘Strong acting, compelling interaction, exciting plot, relevant, relatable themes, thought-provoking dialogue – this production has it all;
The ‘doll’ in question is the character Nora Helmer, the perfect wife living the perfect Victorian-era life imposed on her by her subtly coercive husband Torvald, until her secret is discovered by Nils Krogstad, an underling of Torvald’s at the bank.
A tale of desperation and blackmail ensues during which themes of lost love, unrequited love and societal constraints are explored. However, its stark depiction of gender inequality and one woman’s fight to break free from it, is probably the main reason it was so famous in its day and why this Ibsen classic continues to be one the most staged plays in the world.
‘This is an engrossing, thought-provoking play done justice by director Layla Katib and the magnificent OTG cast’
This is an engrossing, thought-provoking play done justice by director Layla Katib and the magnificent OTG cast. Ashley Harvey as the sickeningly smug and creepy Torvald almost steals the show.
Beth Burns as protagonist Nora convincingly turns from dull, simple, put-upon housewife to a woman on fire at the heart-thumping end of the play. And it’s always a privilege to see Billy Morton in, well anything actually and his Nils Krogstad role was typically captivating.
‘A tale of desperation and blackmail ensues during which themes of lost love, unrequited love and societal constraints are explored’
Strong acting, compelling interaction, exciting plot, relevant relatable themes, thought-provoking dialogue – this production has it all. Go and see it; the stars don’t align like this very often.
Edward Bliss
Oxford Theatre Guild’s A Doll’s House runs from October 21 – 26 October. Book at https://oldfirestation.org.uk/whats-on/a-dolls-house/
