On Tuesday, December 17, at 19:00, the Latvian National Theatre will perform Henrik Ibsen’s drama ‘Hedda Gabler. The Return,’ directed by Edmunds Freibergs, at ‘Jūras Vārti’.
At 19:00, the performance features Madara Zviedre, Ģirts Liuziniks, Jēkabs Reinis, Ivars Puga, Daiga Kažociņa, and Lāsma Kugrēna. It tells the story of a woman raised by her father and a man who grew up under the careful supervision of women. Their marriage was recently formalized, but everyone understands it will not be a happy union—everyone except the young husband, scientist Jørgen Tesman. For Hedda, love holds the highest importance in life, but life does not conform to her ideals, leading to complex feelings for another man that become destructive.
For the seasoned master Edmunds Freibergs, Hedda Gabler marks a return to staging a large-scale production at the National Theatre. Similarly, several actors—Madara Zviedre, Ģirts Liuziniks, Jēkabs Reinis, and Ivars Puga—are making their return to the stage. Naturally, this is also the return of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play.
At the National Theatre, the play is being staged for the second time (in the 1991 production, Hedda was portrayed by Lāsma Kugrēna), while Latvian theatres have tackled this work a total of five times. Theatre-goers with prior experience of the play will have the opportunity to compare and assess how it was performed then versus how it is performed now.
Theatre critic Henrieta Verhoustinska describes it as a beautiful and truly classic production that will appeal to fans of traditional theatre: “Madaras Zviedres Hedda is very beautiful and deeply bored. (…) She wishes to be a self-sufficient individual and acts accordingly—often self-righteous, mostly indifferent to everything and everyone. However, her complete independence is hindered by her excessive respect for societal opinions”.
The production reflects scenographer Aigara Ozoliņa impeccable sense of space. In collaboration with lighting designer Līva Kalniņa and video artist Tomu Zeļģi, it transports the audience into a seemingly realistic and expansive hall, where characters immediately find themselves at the epicenter of events upon entering. Costume designer Anna Heinrihsone has crafted outfits for the production, bringing her signature finesse and elegance in the use of colors to the stage.
The guest performance is organized by SIA ‘Kurzemes Filharmonija’ with financial support from the Ventspils City Municipality. Tickets are available at all ‘Biļešu Paradīze’ ticket outlets and online at www.bilesuparadize.lv.
We would like to inform you that photography will be conducted during public events to ensure transparency and publicity. Photos may be published on the ‘Jūras Vārti’ Theatre House website and social media accounts.
