Niru is a young Bengali woman married to an English colonial bureaucrat - Tom. Tom loves Niru, exoticising her as a frivolous plaything to be admired and kept; but Niru has a long-kept secret, and just as she thinks she is almost free of it, it threatens to bring her life crashing down around her. Tanika Gupta reimagines Ibsen's classic play of gender politics through the lens of British colonialism, offering a bold, female perspective exploring themes of ownership and race.

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Ibsen's classic in a version by Patrick Marber. Hedda returns from her honeymoon with new husband George Tesman. Struggling with her marriage and life devoid of excitement, Hedda strives to find a way to fulfill her desires by manipulating those around her. This version opened at the National Theatre, London, in December 2016.

Too frightened of scandal to become involved with a brilliant writer, Hedda Gabler opts instead for a conventional but loveless marriage. But, when her first love returns with a masterpiece that might threaten her husband's career, Hedda decides to take drastic and fatal action. Universally condemned in 1890 when it was written, Hedda Gabler has subsequently become one of Ibsen's most performed and studied plays. Blending comedy and tragedy, Ibsen probes the thwarted aspirations and hidden anxieties of his characters against a backdrop of contemporary social Habits and hypocrisies. This Methuen Drama Student Edition is published with Michael Meyer's classic translation, and with commentary and notes by Dr. Sophie Duncan. These offer a contemporary lens on the play's gender politics, and consider some key twentieth and twenty-first century productions of Hedda Gabler, which include actresses like Maggie Smith, Harriet Walker, and Ruth Wilson taking on the iconic titular role.

Hedda Gabler is a disillusioned wife who plans to advance her husband's career by lying, cheating and stealing from his competitor to ensure his success. Driven by greed and ego, Hedda's plan takes a dark and unexpected turn. Hedda Gabler is married to George Tesman, a professional academic who's eager to excel in his career. He finds unexpected competition from Eilert Loevborg, a writer and Hedda's former lover. In an effort to improve George's chances, she steals Eilert's manuscript after he unintentionally leaves it out. This leads to a series of unfortunate events that drastically changes the outcome of their professional and personal lives. Hedda Gabler is a cautionary tale about the dire consequences of cynicism and betrayal. Despite her intentions, Hedda's behavior has a negative impact on everyone she loves, including herself. It's a story full of twists and turns that comes to a shocking end. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Hedda Gabler is both modern and readable.

Dr. Thomas Stockmann's personal and professional life is attacked after he declares a town's water supply is contaminated, which threatens the success of their economy. Ibsen tackles the corruption of local politicians, and their effect on the people. After thorough examination, Dr. Thomas Stockmann discovers an unsettling truth about his town's water system. He believes its polluted and attempts to alert the proper authorities. Yet, this revelation threatens the town's economy, which depends on the success of its spa business. Stockmann's brother is the mayor and wants the story hidden from the public. He conspires with other politicians to protect their investment, despite the doctor's warning. With An Enemy of the People, Ibsen criticizes the selfish nature of man. It centers a powerful minority that chooses profit over people. The writer exposes the dangers of honesty in a world fueled by lies. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of An Enemy of the People is both modern and readable.

Nora Helmer is a dutiful young wife and mother of three children whose attempt to secure her family's future may ultimately lead to its destruction. Ibsen's play explores female identity and independence in a male dominated society. The Helmer family consists of Torvald and Nora, as well as three children: Ivar, Bobby and Emmy. From the outside, they appear to live a happy and idyllic life. Yet, a secret from Nora's past threatens to destroy everything she loves. One of Torvald's employees blackmails Nora, hoping she can influence her husband in the workplace. When she doesn't succeed, Torvald is informed of her misdeeds. This leads to a life-changing confrontation that forces Nora to reevaluate her marriage and desire for a family. A Doll's House a one of Ibsen's most forward-thinking plays. It was deemed scandalous for its depiction of a wife who prioritizes her own well-being over others. It's an insightful examination of how gender roles dominated nineteenth century Europe. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of A Doll's House is both modern and readable.

This revised Student Edition of Ibsen's popular play contains introductory commentary and notes by Sophie Duncan, which offer a contemporary lens on the play's gender politics and consider seminal productions and adaptations of the play into the 21st century. As well as the complete text of the play itself, this new Methuen Drama Student Edition includes a: * Chronology of the play and Ibsen's life and work * Discussion of the social, political, cultural and economic context in which the play was originally conceived and created * Overview of the creation processes followed and performance history of the play, including recent performances such as a 2012 short film adaptation and a stage adaptation set in colonial Calcutta. * Analysis of some of the major themes and specific issues addressed by the play, such as whether it's a feminist play and its author a feminist * Bibliography of suggested primary and secondary materials for further study Ibsen's 1879 play shocked its first audiences with its radical insights into the social roles of husband and wife. His portrayal of the caged 'songbird' in his flawed heroine Nora remains one of the most striking dramatic depictions of the late 19th century woman.

An adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's most notable play about a waning marriage, and the social constructs between a husband and wife. Thornton Wilder's acting version of A Doll's House premiered on Broadway at the Morsco Theatre in December 1937, under the direction of Jed Harris.

Here is the greatest account ever written of the destructiveness of missionary zeal. Gregers Werle enters the house of photographer Ekdal preaching 'the demands of idealism'(a nicely ambiguous phrase in Hampton's translation) and systematically destroys a family's happiness.

Henrik Ibsen

Translated by Christopher Hampton

Full Length, Drama

Characters: 3 male, 2 female

Interior Set

This riveting family drama is a classic of the modern theatre. Oswald Alving returns for the dedication of the orphanage to his father's memory and has a flirtation with the family maid who, it turns out, is his father's illegitimate daughter. As the long-supressed truths collide, the orphanage is destroyed by fire, the maid deserts the family in disgust when she learns her true parentage, and Mrs. Alving is left alone to care for her hopelessly insane son who has fallen prey to the social disease that killed his father. The role of Mrs. Alving, considered one of the greatest in the modern repertoire, has been played by Liv Ullman, Geraldine Page, Eva Le Galliene, Mrs. Fiske, Alla Nazimova and Eleonora Duse.

This married life is not what Hedda Gabler signed up for. She is the daughter of a general; a gun-toting, horse-riding, party-throwing siren. Then, with one little ring on her finger, she's supposed to turn into the quiet, predictable wife of an academic. When promises are broken, an old flame comes to town, blackmail and scandal are threatened and other, braver women start to occupy the limelight, Hedda has to decide: must she submit, settle down and knuckle under or is it possible to stand up, take control and tear it all down? Hedda Gabler is Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece, possibly the greatest stage role ever written for an actress. This funny, shocking and powerful play opens up the desperation and absurdity of trying to live as a thing that you are not.

Helen Alving is a widow who's committed to protecting her son from his father's unsavory past which was marked by a string of extramarital affairs. She doesn't want her son to be affected by his scandalous choices. After her husband's death, Helen Alving decides to dedicate an orphanage in his memory. She uses the project to drain his estate, so their son Oswald won't retain any of his fortune. Instead, she plans to bequeath only her money, free from her husband's influence. Yet Oswald's health is failing, having inherited a disease from his father. As the pain progresses, Oswald decides to take matters into his own hands. He asks his mother to inject him with a fatal dose of medication to end his suffering once and for all. In Ghosts, Ibsen covers multiple controversial topics. At the time of its production in 1882, it was immediately criticized for its subject matter. The play destroys the facade of the traditional family, speaking freely about infidelity, incest and venereal disease. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Ghosts is both modern and readable.

Ellida Wangel grew up loving the sea, but she eventually moved away and married a doctor instead of the sailor who originally stole her heart. This has put a strain on her relationship with her husband and his two daughters, from his previous marriage. Ellida Wangel is the second wife of widower, Dr. Edvard Wangel. She is the stepmother to his daughters, Bolette and Hilde, who prefer to keep their distance. The family dynamic is often cold as the marriage is more about convenience than love. Ellida spent her formative years near the sea and has always yearned to return to it. But her life and responsibilities have kept her away. When a former lover reappears, he attempts to convince Ellida to leave her husband and travel abroad. She is forced to choose between the family she knows and the future she desires. The Lady from the Sea examines the trappings of what appears to be a happy marriage. Despite a stable husband and two children, the wife is unfulfilled. She must look inside herself to discover what truly matters in her heart. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Lady from the Sea is both modern and readable.

While vacationing at a spa, a sculptor, who's unhappily married, encounters a former model whose love he rejected in favor of a more successful career. As the pair reconnects, they gradually rekindle their relationship, leading them down a dark and dangerous path. Arnold Rubek is a famous and wealthy sculptor who feels trapped in a mundane marriage. He and his wife Maia are visiting a spa, when he stumbles across a former model named Irena. She's an old muse who worked with Arnold earlier in his career. Irena was in love with him, but he rejected her to focus on his work. Since then, she's struggled with madness and a preoccupation with death. Despite the warning signs, Arnold's pursuit of Irena comes to a volatile conclusion. When We Dead Awaken is Henrik Ibsen's final play. It's a story about the disillusion of success and a fixation on the past. The characters work as active participants in their own demise. It's a cautionary tale with haunting themes and an unforgettable outcome. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of When We Dead Awaken is both modern and readable.

Johannes Rosmer is a respected member of a conservative community, who's criticized for his close friendship with a young woman following his wife's untimely death. Johannes' unconventional living situation, paired with his growing liberal beliefs, becomes a cause for concern. A year after his wife Beata's suicide, Johannes Rosmer, is sharing his home with another woman. Rebecca, Beata's longtime friend, has been a source of support helping Rosmer through his grief. Although they've maintained a respectful distance, their relationship is questioned by the general public. Rector Kroll, Rosmer's brother-in-law, is offended by his living arrangement and new progressive attitude. The constant criticism pushes Rosmer to make a drastic life-changing decision. Henrik Ibsen's Rosmersholm is a family tragedy fueled by guilt. Two people are forced to acknowledge their part in a loved one's demise. It's a series of eye-opening revelations that lead to a shocking conclusion. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Rosmersholm is both modern and readable.

The arrival of Karsten Bernick's brother-in-law leads to a series of revelations, exposing a tumultuous history that could destroy his marriage and thriving business empire. To ensure his future, Karsten goes to great lengths to protect his secrets. Karsten Bernick is a successful businessman and prominent figure in a small Norwegian town. While planning his next big venture, he is startled by the arrival of his brother-in-law, Johan Tonnesen. Johan left 15 years earlier after taking the blame for an indiscretion Karsten committed. Now, he plans to clear his name and create a new life for himself. Johan demands Karsten tell the truth so he can get married and start a family. But the ultimatum forces Karsten to make a hasty decision with potentially fatal results. With Pillars of Society, Henrik Ibsen examines the corrupt nature of wealth and status. He questions the origin story of many high-class figures. He illustrates how far some people are willing to go to maintain their privilege. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pillars of Society is both modern and readable.

Halvard Solness is a successful master builder who has acquired both fame and fortune, yet he's convinced his greatness will fade with the younger generation. He is committed to retaining his success, despite its negative effect on others. Halvard Solness is an established architect who is well-known throughout his town. Over the years, his professional life has thrived at the expensive of his family. Despite the consequences, his career has become his primary focus. When he meets a young woman named Hilda, she becomes his unofficial muse, inspiring him to tackle new projects. Threatened by the next generation of builders, Halvard derails their progress to maintain his hold. The Master Builder is an intimate portrait of a man driven by insecurity. His need for external validation clouds his judgment leading him to make a series of rash decisions. Ibsen delivers a poignant character study in this brilliant and indelible work. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Master Builder is both modern and readable.

Oswald returns home from Paris to honour his dead father. As his mother begins to feel the presence of ghosts from the past around her, Oswald discovers that there is more to his mystery illness than he first thought. Only by uncovering the truth can they both be set free.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Just married. Bored already. Hedda longs to be free. This vital new version by Patrick Marber (Closer, Three Days in the Country) opened at the National Theatre, London, in December 2016.