Arts & Culture

Theatre Gives New Spin to Classic 'A Doll's House'

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2009) - "Nora, darling, you're dancing as if your life depended on it!"

The classic "A Doll’s House," by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen and adapted by Frank McGuinness, demands its audience take a serious look at the role of women in society. It is a scathing criticism of the blind acceptance of the traditional roles of men and women in Victorian marriage. 

Ibsen’s play, written in 1879, is considered one of the forerunning pieces of the feminist movement in literature and art. UK Department of Theatre takes an innovative approach to this timeless drama and gives it fresh, new appeal on the Guignol stage Nov. 12-22.

Set during the Christmas holiday season, "A Doll’s House" follows Nora Helmer as she awakens from her previously unexamined life of domestic bliss. Having always done what her father or husband, Torvald, advised, Nora begins to question her beliefs and in turn puts her marriage to the test as she tries to repay a loan to a man of ill-repute without making her husband aware.

The university production gives the classic a twist with an innovative approach to its staging.

  

"UK’s production, while set in the period in which Ibsen wrote it, has more of the outside world of the play intrude on the Helmer household," notes Andrew Kimbrough, assistant professor of theatre and director of "A Doll’s House." "The audience is seated on the Guignol stage and is intimately connected to the production."

The UK Theatre cast is led by junior Alys Dickerson in the role of Nora Helmer. Other cast members of "A Doll's House" are: junior Chris Floyd as Torvald Helmer; freshman Abby Sheridan as Kristine Linde; sophomore Brian Sprague as Nils Krogstad; sophomore Jeremy Gillett as Dr. Rank; junior Allyson Smith as Anne-Marie; sophomore Heather Hastings as Helene; and sophomore Michael Baird as The Messenger. Additionally, freshman Megan Buttleman, senior Randy Bowling, freshman Madison McGhee, senior Jacob Moore, Smith and Baird will lend their voices to the play as Christmas Carolers. Also in the cast are three local child actors. Clark Gookin will portray Ivar, Grace Brooks will portray Emmy, and Jack Kalinski will portray Bob.

A number of guest artists lent their talents to the UK Theatre production as well. Jake Beamer, a theatre alumnus and actor/combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, served as fight director. Alecia Fields, a pre-medical senior pursuing a topical major in women’s health and minoring in biology and international studies at UK, served as choreographer. Tedrin Blair Lindsay, a pianist, composer and lecturer at the UK School of Music, provides piano music. Undergraduate composer Aaron Weaver is responsible for arrangements of traditional Christmas music.

"A Doll's House" will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 12-14 and 19-21, at the Guignol Theatre, located in the UK Fine Arts Building on Rose Street. A Sunday matinee will be staged at 2 p.m., Nov. 22.

With seating for "A Doll's House" on the Guignol Theatre stage, seating is limited. Booking tickets for the production in advance is advised.

Tickets for "A Doll's House" are $15 for general admission, $10 for UK faculty/staff or senior citizens, and $5 for students.

For more information on the UK Theatre production of "A Doll's House", contact the UK Department of Theatre at (859) 257-3297. To reserve tickets, call the Singletary Center for the Arts ticket office at (859) 257-4929 or visit www.singletarytickets.com.