A Doll House

A Doll House (also translated into English as A Doll's House) [1] is an 1879 three-act play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) [2].

Norwegian and European production

A three-act Norwegian play in prose by Henrik Ibsen. One of the classic realist plays from the 19th century, it premiered at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 21 December 1879, having been published earlier that month.

The play was controversial when first published, as it is sharply critical of 19th century marriage norms. Indeed an adapted version (without the controversial ending) was prepared by Ibsen for the German production, and this was for a long time used in a number of countries, including South Africa.

South African productions

In English

1925: Was first produced in English in South Africa in 1925, directed by C.G.S. (“Con”) de Villiers with the Unie-debatsvereniging, University of Stellenbosch, [??]*** . ****Other versions include **,

1951: Presented by the Dramatic Section of the Johannesburg Jewish Guild in December 1951 produced by Anna Romain Hoffman, starring Rita Roseman (Nora), Denis Scully (Torvald Helmer), Ian Bell (Nils Krogstad), Nora Gregor (Mrs Linde), Isadore Shulman (Dr Rank).

1975: CAPAB's production of A Doll's House in September 1975 at the Hofmeyr Theatre was directed by Rosalie van der Gucht, starring Helen Bourne (Nora Helmer), Michael Swinton (Torvald Helmer), Arthur Hall (Dr Rank), Valerie Fletcher (Kristine Linde), Henry Goodman (Nils Krogstad}, Kathleen Lee (Anne Marie), Anne Craye (Helen), Lyle Wright (a porter), Mark Wilson and Robert Wright (the Helmer children). Lorraine Bellamy was the stage manager. Set designed by Craig Curtis, lighting designed by John T. Baker. Music arranged by Brian Burke, dance choreographed by Mary Suckling.

1990: Directed by Clare Stopford Upstairs at the Market in May 1990 starring Grethe Fox, Ron Smerczak, Andrew Buckland, Kate Edwards and Pierre Knoesen.

1995: A Baxter Production of the version in English by Christopher Hampton was presented at the Baxter Theatre opening 3 June 1995 directed by Liz Mills. Decor and costume by Geoffrey Hyland, lighting design by Brian Collins. Nora was played by Terry Norton, Bianca Amato palyed Kristine Linde, Chris van Niekerk Torvald Helmer, Blaise Koch Nils Krogstad, David Alcock Dr Rank and Christina Beatty Anne Marie.

2016: Presented at the Woordfees 2016 [3].

Afrikaans productions

Originally translated into Afrikaans by Mrs Carinus-Holzhausen as Geleende Geld ("Borrowed Money") and produced by Paul de Groot, with De Groot as Nils Krogstad, Hélèna Botha as Nora, André Huguenet as Torvald Helmer and Henry van Wyk as Dr Rank. Utilising the notorious version with the "happy ending" it opened in Caledon in February 1929, receiving varied criticism on tour – with moral indignation at Nora’s desertion of her husband on the one hand, and criticism of the happy ending from informed critics on the other. Ultimately however it still played for 200 performances. (See Binge, 1969; Huguenet 19*) Later produced by NTO as Die Poppehuis, in a new translation by **.

1985: Translated from the Norwegian into Afrikaans by Nerina Ferreira as Die Pophuis and staged by PACT in September in the State Theatre in Pretoria and in October in the Alexander Theatre in Johannesburg, directed by Tjaart Potgieter, with Elize Cawood, Louis van Niekerk, Ernst Eloff, Ben Kruger, Anna Cloete, Charlotte Butler, Helena Hettema and Wynand le Roux. Designs by Chris van den Berg, lighting by Michael K. Lehr.