Hobnob Theatre’s ‘Hedda Gabler’ captivates and disturbs
From its first production, “Hedda Gabler” has provoked strong reactions.
Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 drama presents a female character who defies conventional expectations of femininity. Hedda is not passive or nurturing; she is cold, calculating and emotionally volatile. Now, Hobnob Theatre Company brings this unsettling drama to its stage with a powerful, intimate production that leaves audiences questioning Hedda’s motives and fate.
The play follows the manipulative and dissatisfied Hedda, who, trapped in a stifling marriage to the uninspiring academic Jorgen Tesman, seeks power and control over those around her. The play takes place over two days in September, a compressed timeline that amplifies the pressure on Hedda as she finds herself increasingly trapped by her machinations. The dialogue crackles with tension, including Hedda’s chilling admission, “I get these impulses and I can’t resist them.”
Under the direction of Duane Peters, the cast delivers a gripping performance that capitalizes on the intimacy of Hobnob’s black box theater. Peters’ direction enhances the claustrophobic tension of Ibsen’s world. One particularly effective choice on the part of Peters is the blocking: Hedda and George are rarely physically close, reinforcing their emotional distance, and the minimal, homey living room set underscores the contrast between the calm domestic setting and the roiling emotions that simmer beneath the surface.
The lighting design is simple yet effective, subtly shifting to match the increasing emotional stakes. One particularly clever technical element is the special effect of smoke rising from the living room wood stove, adding a haunting visual to a play already steeped in symbolism.
The intimacy of the small black box theater leaves no room for error, demanding the actors maintain a high level of intensity at all times. The cast rises to this challenge, ensuring that every line and movement feels deliberate and charged with meaning.
Natalie Spanner takes on the formidable title role of Hedda Gabler Tesman, presenting a woman whose cold demeanor masks a fierce inner turmoil. From the moment she steps on stage, Spanner commands attention as she manipulates those around her, playing on their weaknesses with cruel detachment.
George Tesman, played by Daniel Williams, is Hedda’s well-meaning but oblivious husband, returning home from his honeymoon full of excitement about his academic work. Williams, an academic in real life, brings an earnest charm to the role, making Tesman’s eventual disillusionment all the more poignant. Williams handles his character’s transformation from doting husband to horrified bystander to Hedda’s unraveling with subtlety and emotional depth.
Jack Senske’s Eilert Lovborg, the ambitious scholar and former lover of Hedda, delivers one of the standout performances of the evening. Initially full of optimism and drive, his descent into despair is played with haunting realism. Senske captures the agony of a man who has once again hit rock bottom.
Kevin Vespaziani portrays Judge Brack with a sinister suaveness, his small mannerisms and oily charm paint him as a self-assured predator. His interactions with Hedda crackle with unspoken tension and work to create a disturbing final scene.
Jennifer Sinatra shines as Mrs. Thea Elvsted, a woman desperate for love and acceptance. Sinatra’s expressive eyes and hopeful demeanor make her a perfect counterpoint to Hedda’s cynicism.
Jocelyn Hillen, as the well-meaning but meddling Aunt Juliana Tesman, offers a maternal contrast to Hedda’s deep-seated, anti-maternal instincts.
Meanwhile, Danyle Verzinskie’s Berta, the loyal maid, subtly keeps the action moving without drawing undue attention to herself — a testament to the strength of her understated performance.
With raw performances, thoughtful direction and gripping tension, this production of “Hedda Gabler” is an electrifying and disturbing theatrical experience. By the end of the play, the audience is left with an unsettling question: Is Hedda Gabler an inherently cruel and destructive person? Or is she a product of the suffocating constraints placed upon her by society? Hobnob Theatre’s production provides no easy answers, instead allowing each viewer to grapple with the implications of Hedda’s fate.
Hobnob Theatre presents “Hedda Gabler” at 7: 30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and April 5; and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday and April 6. The play runs 105 minutes with a 10-minute intermission. “Hedda Gabler” contains mature themes, language and discussions of suicide.
