REVIEW: A DOLL'S HOUSE by Henrik Ibsen at Golden Goose Theatre 28 Feb -1 March 2025

“a theatrical delight” ★★★

The setting is mid-century modern. There is G-Plan furniture and jazz in the background as happy housewife Nora Helmer prepares Christmas for her family. As she fusses about seasonal logistics, she seems preoccupied with money. And we soon learn that beneath the tinsel and light-hearted banter, Nora has a secret which, should it be disclosed,  will threaten her marriage and stability.

The Doll’s House by Ibsen, originally written in 1879 is the first production by The New Rep Theatre company who aim to bring “affordable and accessible classical theatre” to audiences. Their mission statement has gotten off to a solid and engaging start with arguably one of the most influential texts in modern theatre. This trailblazing drama about a middle class marriage, prescribed gender roles and female agency is one of the most performed in the world so it’s a delight to see it at the Golden Goose in South East London.

Nora’s husband, Torvald is characterised here as a spiv in a suit. Harry French plays the big bombastic man, the besuited Alpha male, with great energy and wit. He is spectacularly patronising to Nora, a tireless mansplainer and manspreader that always knows what’s best for his wife who he likes to infantilise. Edward Neale is the slightly stalkerish and sinister Krogstad with a dark undertow while Kim Whatmore is the close family friend and leech-like Dr.Rank who has a terminal illness and is secretly in love with Nora. 

Due to a last minute change of cast, Nora, was on book - script in hand - something explained with notices on the wall and before the show. Hats off to Olivia Bird who bravely took on the challange, capturing the tortured Nora with understatement and providing the perfect foil to Tolvald’s relentless garrulousness. The conversations between Nora and her matter-of-fact, pragmatic friend Kristine, performed by Andi Bickers, were raced through a little too quickly and would benefit from slowing down. On the subject of pace, there was a 15 minute interval when a straight through performance might have concentrated the intensity of the experience for the audience.

This was a really enjoyable ensemble piece with lots of talent in evidence and bodes well for this new company who will follow up at the Golden Goose with The Importance of Being Ernest. You don’t have to be Ibsenista to luxuriate in the language and be swept up in the story which remains as relevant today as it was the day it was penned.

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

translated by William Archer

Directed by David Knight

Golden Goose Theatre,

28th Feb - 01 March, 2025

Produced by THE NEW REP THEATRE