The Lady from the Sea

Synopsis

Ellida, the Lighthouse Keeper's daughter, is homesick for the sea. Her life with her husband Dr Wangel and his daughters leaves her restless. Then, on a hot, brilliantly clear summer morning life changes...Ellida Wangel's mysterious seafaring lover has returned after many years to reclaim the woman to whom he believed himself to be betrothed. With piercing eyes he exerts a mesmerising hold over all whom he encounters. Yet, he is a man with a past, a murderer, a man of the sea. What is Ellida to do? Whom should she choose? The husband who loves her and is prepared to grant her freedom or the enigmatic man with whom she shares the same watery affinity. A man who holds a 'horrible unfathomable power' over her mind. Yet Ellida's mind is like the sea, it ebbs and flows and finally reaches its own firm conclusion. The Lady from the Sea (1888) represents an important turning point in Ibsen's work. Within a few days of its publication Edmund Gosse wrote 'There is thrown over the whole play a glamour of romance, of mystery, of landscape beauty...moreover, after so many tragedies, this is a comedy...the tone is quite unusually sunny, and without a tinge of pessimism.' This play explores the hypnotic hold one person may gain over another. It is an emphatic defence of individuality, of inner struggles faced with courage and integrity.

Our Review:

19 October 2010

Ellida (Neve McIntosh), the daughter of a lighthouse keeper who is the second (and much younger) wife of Dr Wangel (Reece Dinsdale). Ellida is a fan of the sea and spends much of her time, swimming and gazing at the water; leading to the locals regarding her as an oddity, the title Lady of the Sea - a mocking title more than one of affection.

The step mother of Dr Wangel’s two daughters, Bolette (Sara Vickers) and Hilde (Catrin Stewart) Ellida is a troubled soul, not fully committed to her marriage to Dr Wangel and has known suffering. Her world is further turned upside down by the return of the Stranger (Bill Ward) to whom she was engaged previously but disappeared from her life; gone away to sea and to whom she is inexplicably drawn.  Both fascinated and tormented by this man Ellida must choose between her husband and this mysterious man from her past.

Exploring the idea of personal freedom within marria...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Paula Isherwood - 19 October 2010:

I went to see this little performed Ibsen with lack of enthusiasm but was overwhelmed by the wonderful acting and the superb production. One of this excellent Company's best, and that is saying quite a lot!...

Read more and add your own review