‘Hedda Gabler’ a show of polarizing characters
There are seven people in an upcoming production at Hobnob Theatre Company, and each of the characters has qualities that audience members will either love or hate — or both at once — according to the play’s director, Duane Peters.
“Hedda Gabler” is a Norwegian play first staged in 1891, and is one of the most popular, most produced plays of all time, Peters said. Hobnob Theatre and its black box stage setup lends itself nicely to the play, by adding an intimate environment that puts the audience right in the space of the seven characters.
The characters and the audience’s relationship to them is integral to the play, because they are all flawed personalities whose actions are often selfish and lead to tragic outcomes, Peters said.
“I think people will leave the play, they will either love Hedda or hate her,” Peters said. “Same with all the other characters; they will find something they like or dislike, and they will have to decide what their conclusion is, and everyone will see it differently.”
“Hedda Gabler” is about a 29-year-old woman, Hedda, who uses “jealousy and manipulation” to pit people against each other for her own personal gain. Peters said the show was written in the 1800s, when the themes of female freedom were controversial to most audiences. Peters said the play is character-driven, and the relationships all center around the main character, Hedda.
The Hobnob production brings the play from the 1800s to the “here and now,” with some updated wardrobes and language. However, Peters said the play stays true to the original script — it’s an abridged version that is based on a translation of the original Norwegian play.
Natalie Spanner, who plays Hedda in the show, is acting at Hobnob for the first time, and, like Peters, has a particular affinity for the show and its titular character, she said.
“I had wanted to sink my teeth into something, and I have been obsessed with ‘Hedda Gabler,’” Spanner said. “When it was written in Norway it was made so Hedda, as a character, could not really be explained. I was drawn to this because I was drawn toward Hedda, because she makes sense to me.”
Additionally, the dark nature of the play will be emphasized by the actors’ proximity to the audience, who will surround the stage and the characters as the story unfolds.
“Putting it contemporary and in that small setting is really vulnerable. It's going to be a ride,” Spanner said.
Although the play is slightly modernized, Peters said the story is complex, and takes several twists and turns, so audience members have to pay close attention or else risk missing an important moment. He said the twists make for an exciting story, and he lauded his actors for helping to make the story engaging.
“There are things that happen in the play that are unexpected and I think the audience will be shocked and amazed,” Peters said. “Just when you think you've got it figured out, something else happens.”
“Hedda Gabler” runs about 105 minutes, which includes a 10-minute intermission. The play has adult language and situations, and Peters said it is not recommended for children.
The play shows at 7:30 p.m. March 28 and 29 and April 5, and at 2:30 p.m. March 30 and April 6 at Hobnob Theatre Company, 134 S. Main St. in Butler. Tickets can be purchased online at hobnobtheatre.com.
