Amanda Donohoe as Hedda
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Donohoe, Wilton & Elgar Lead Exchange Hedda

Amanda Donohoe will lead the cast of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre from 24 October 2001. The venue is currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season with several major productions, and Donohoe will be joined in the cast by Terence Wilton and Avril Elgar.

Ibsen’s drama was originally written in Norwegian and is regarded as containing much untranslatable wordplay. Hedda remains one of theatre’s most fascinating and enduring characters, as she finds herself trapped in a bourgeois marriage and embarks on a manipulative trail which ends in despair. A detailed portrait of class differences, it was completed by the author in 1890.

Donhoe was recently seen as Mrs Robinson in the West End version of The Graduate, one of several noted actresses to assume the role. She made her professional debut at the Royal Exchange and last appeared at the venue in Miss Julie five years ago. Her film and TV credits include The Madness of King George III, Castaway, LA Law and Frasier.

Terence Wilton studied drama at Manchester University, and his many stage credits include Henry IV (Bristol Old Vic), Romeo and Juliet (Oxford Playhouse), Hamlet (Old Vic), Ghosts (Lyric Hammersmith) and Dr Faustus (RSC). TV appearances include Anne of the Thousand Days and The Forsyte Saga.

Avril Elgar trained at the Old Vic Theatre School. Her theatre career has embraced Les Blancs (Royal Exchange), Stanley (National), Court In the Act (Royal Exchange & West End) and Macbeth (Bristol Old Vic). Film works include Little Shop of Horrors and Room At the Top, alongside TV appearances in Goodnight Mr Tom, Casualty and Us and Them.

The Royal Exchange’s Founding Artistic Director Braham Murray will direct, with design from Liz Ashcroft ands lighting from Jason Taylor.

- by Gareth Thompson

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