Passion, betrayal and hypocrisy in new version of Ibsen’s ‘Ghosts’ at Town Hall

Date Published: 12-May-2011

London Classic Theatre presents Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, in a new version by Frank McGuinness, next Tuesday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 18 at the Town Hall Theatre.

Although it was written in 1881, Ghosts can surprise modern audiences with some of its themes, including children born outside marriage, sexually transmitted disease, infidelity and euthanasia.

Ghosts tell the story of Helene Alving, who is preparing for the opening of an orphanage, built in memory of her late husband. Mrs Alving plans to raise this one memorial to him so that she will not have to speak of him again: he was a cheating philanderer whose public reputation was a sham. Her beloved artist son, Oswald, has returned from Paris to honour the occasion, but his long-awaited homecoming rapidly descends into tragedy as his presence triggers the exposure of a dark story of hypocrisy and betrayed love. The ‘ghosts’ in this play are taboo topics that cannot openly be discussed. Ibsen’s study of hidden passions and family secrets remains dramatically alive in Frank McGuinness’s vital new version.

The Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, who wrote such classics as The Dolls House and Hedda Gabler, was one of the truly great playwrights in the European tradition and is often referred to as ‘the father of modern drama’.

His plays were considered scandalous when they were first performed at a time when Victorian values held sway in Europe.

His work examines the realities that lay behind these facades of propriety and family values, turning a savagely critical eye towards the morality of the day.

Ibsen’s plays have been adapted by many English language writers, with Frank McGuinness,whose own dramas include Observe The Sons Of Ulster Marching Towards The Somme and Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me being the latest. McGuinness has a strong record of adapting literary classics, having translated the plays of Racine, Sophocles, Ibsen and Strindberg to critical acclaim.

The company performing Ghosts, London Classic Theatre, last year celebrated a decade tour, having performed to over 300,000 people at more than 150 theatres and arts centres around the UK and Ireland. LCT has explored the work of some of the finest playwrights of the last fifty years, including Joe Orton, Harold Pinter, Brian Friel, McGuinness and Mike Leigh.

The cast includes Peter Cadden, Hasan Dixon, Brendan Fleming, Abby Leamon, Pauline Whitaker and the production is directed by the company’s artistic director Michael Cabot.

Booking for next Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s performances is now open at the Town Hall Theatre on 091-569777 or on the web at www.tht.ie