Anya Reiss’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, “A Doll’s House,” staged at the Almeida Theatre in London, breathes new life into the renowned marriage scandal. Reiss injects the narrative with contemporary relevance, featuring inspired ideas that resonate with today’s audience, from convincing allusions to Instagram to a sharp examination of sexual dynamics within the context of modern capitalism.
The central question posed by this production is: who would Henrik Ibsen’s Nora be in 21st-century Britain? Would her husband, Torvald, still hold the position of a bank manager, and would she continue to be his cherished “little squirrel” housewife? Transporting this 19th-century drama, which championed proto-feminist ideals, into the present day presents a significant challenge. This difficulty stems partly from the fact that the gendered restrictions within Nora and Torvald’s perceived “ideal” middle-class marriage are rooted in deeply outdated values: a husband who takes pride in being the sole breadwinner and a wife whose departure from her marital home would trigger considerable social scandal.
Adapter Anya Reiss undertakes a heroic effort to reimagine this timeless story for the modern era, and the production largely succeeds in its ambitious undertaking.
A Doll’s House Review: Sex, Drugs, and Romola Garai in a Heroic Ibsen Update
At the Almeida Theatre in London, Anya Reiss’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” is a bold and insightful reimagining. The production successfully injects contemporary relevance into the classic marriage scandal plot, introducing inspired ideas that speak directly to today’s society. The adaptation cleverly incorporates modern elements, from believable references to Instagram to a piercing exploration of sexual dynamics, all viewed through the lens of contemporary capitalism.
The play grapples with the pertinent question: how would Henrik Ibsen’s Nora function in contemporary Britain? Would her husband, Torvald, still be a bank manager, and would she remain his subservient “little squirrel” housewife? Transplanting this seminal 19th-century proto-feminist drama into the 21st century is a delicate act. A key challenge lies in the fact that the gendered constraints of Nora and Torvald’s seemingly “ideal” middle-class marriage are founded on antiquated values. These include a husband who emphasizes his role as the sole provider and a wife whose departure from the marital home would inevitably lead to significant social disgrace.
Adapter Anya Reiss delivers a heroic performance in her endeavor to recontextualize this narrative for modern times, and she achieves a remarkable level of success.