Rolanda Marais and Albert Pretorius in Hedda Gabler at the Baxter theatre.
Image: Jeremeo Le Cordeur
A reworking of Henrik Ibsen’s play Hedda Gabler about one of theatre’s most enduring femme fatales is brought into the 21st century with the distinctively fiery title character played by Rolanda Marais at the Baxter theatre.
Hedda Gabler was performed in Afrikaans earlier this month and makes its English debut from Monday May 12 to Saturday May 24, with the same ensemble.
The cast is led by Marais, along with Afrikaans theatre blue bloods, Albert Pretorius, Martelize Kolver, Ashley de Lange, Ludwig Binge and Stian Bam with direction and translation by Christiaan Olwagen.
Hedda Gabler was the big winner at this year’s kykNET Fiëstas, with four awards: best actress for Marais, best achievement in design, best ensemble and best festival production.
Hedda has recently returned from her honeymoon with Jurg (Albert Pretorius), but all is not well in the household. Despite Jurg’s success, he already bores her and he still can’t believe that the beautiful Hedda chose him. When her old flame, Lovborg (Ludwig Binge) suddenly shows up, she aims a wrecking ball at her life as she rebels against everything in her power with venomous wit and unapologetic defiance.
The production has an age restriction of 16 and contains graphic scenes that include references to suicide.
Set design is by Rocco Poole, costumes by Mariechen Vosloo, lighting design by Wolf Britz, music by Charl-Johan Lingenfleder and choreography by Natalie Fisher.
Shows are at 7.30pm with Saturday matinees at 3.30pm. Tickets cost from R150 to R250. Book through Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores.