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Ghosts - Duchess Theatre

In the 1880s, the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen sat down to pen what would become one of his best known works – “Ghosts”. A damning commentary on the society of the 19th century and the morality that defined it, “Ghosts” was a success, first appearing in front of audiences in 1882 and receiving a London performance in the following decade.

From February 2010, audiences in London will once again have an opportunity to witness this classic piece of theatre as “Ghosts” lands on the stage of the Duchess Theatre, running from February to May 2010. Featuring both Lesley Sharp and Iain Glen in lead roles, it is likely to be a big success.

Despite its title, “Ghosts” is not a story of the paranormal and spectral visitations. Instead it deals with haunting of a different kind – namely how the ghosts of the past can haunt us in the present (the present being 1881 in this case). In it we meet the character of Mrs Alving, a widower who is opening an orphanage in honour of her late husband. However, far from being distraught about his passing, Mrs Alving is determined to forget about her spouse and his philanthropic ways, consigning him to the past.

But Alving will not be able to forget about him that easily and with the return of her son Osvald, who has been away travelling, suffering from syphilis and madly in love with someone that he should not be, matters take a different turn. The object of his affection is Regina Engstrand, which seems innocent enough on the surface, but the ghosts of Mrs Alving’s past will not let her forget about her husband’s wicked ways and she knows more about Engstrand’s heritage than she would care to admit.

First performed by a Danish touring company in May 1882, “Ghosts” has appeared on stages around the world. Despite this, Ibsen was unhappy with certain facets of the Danish translation, giving the show its title of “Ghosts” as interpreted from “Gengangere” (which would normally be translated as “The Revenants”).

When the show found its way to London, one might expect difficulty in staging it, with Lord Chamberlain’s office making it hard for plays to get to the stage. But the show found a home due to the Independent Theatre Society, cementing it in the minds of the British public, where it would remain to this day.

The cast of Lesley Sharp and Iain Glen is a exciting one, with the pair both appearing in various stage shows in the past, whilst screen credits also make up their extensive CVs.

Sharp’s credits include the recent revival of “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” at the Vaudeville Theatre (2009-2010), as well as “Harper Regan” at the Cottesloe National Theatre (2008) and “The God of Hell” at the Donmar Warehouse (2005). For the big screen she has also appeared in “Afterlife” (2005) and “Clocking Off” (2000).

Glen, on the other hand, has appeared in shows such as “The Crucible” at the Gielgud Theatre (2006) and “Hedda Gabler” at the Duke of York’s Theatre (2005). He was nominated for Laurence Olivier Awards for his roles in “The Blue Room” and “Martin Guerre” at the Donmar Warehouse and Prince Edward Theatre respectively whilst his film credits include “Resident Evil: Extinction” (2007) and “Kingdom of Heaven” (2005).

“Ghosts” is at the Duchess Theatre from Tuesday 23rd February 2010 (previews from Thursday 11th February 2010) to Saturday 15th May 2010.