Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen

Women in the 1890's lived in a world we can only imagine. Henrik Ibsen put it into theater in a brand new and powerful, revolutionary way.

Victorian theater tended to melodrama, Shakespeare, standard formulas, musical comedy, aristocratic life, extravagant sets--and censorship. In Britain, surprises were rare. Except perhaps Gilbert and Sullivan. But towards the end of the 19th century change was coming. On the continent, Wagner was writing his titanic operas. The Russians wrote passionate, realistic psychological theater.

And there was Ibsen. Norwegian, innovative, philosophical, angrily critical of European society and eventually the most important and influential playwright of the last half of the 19th century. Bernard Shaw wrote that Ibsen was the most important writer since Shakespeare.
Of course, Ibsen offended many, particularly British censors.
How could we deal with those pesky women? Read Hedda Gabler and then read about. This is not American musical theater!

I like commentary from the crusty Harold Bloom, but there is no end to interesting discussion of this classic play. Annotated editions make the going easier. But not easy.