My youth theater troupe is about to embark on our latest production: Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, translated by Lanford Wilson.
The small cast, realistic style and incredibly timely themes make this an excellent work for intense acting development and development of ensemble.
Ibsen shocked the world with this play in the late 19th century. In an era notorious for repressing all matters sexual, Ibsen wrote candidly about adultery, syphilis, incest and mental illness. He wrote complex characters struggling with society's stated values of fidelity and loyalty and self-sacrifice-- and the realities of infidelity, pyschological cruelty and betrayal of trust.
I am excited to work with Wilson's translation. Lanford Wilson is an outstanding playwright on his own merits, winning the New York Drama Critic's Circle Award, the Obie Award and the Pulitzer Prize in Playwrighting. One of Wilson's great strength is his wonderful ear for dialogue.
I am planning significant work on actor development and ensemble development during the rehearsal process.
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I've never seen the piece - sounds intense. Good luck with auditions / casting!!
ReplyDeletesupposedly, Brecht said that Ghosts became irrelevant once syphilis was curable.
ReplyDeleteHowever, how timely is the dilemma of Mrs. Alving, asked by her son for assisted suicide as he descends into madness and mental incompetence?
And hypocrisy, deception, trying to protect our children-- still relevant, I'd say.
Sounds fantastic - I wish I could be there for it all!
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