Hedda Gabler is a play by Henrik Ibsen that is much discussed in theatrical circles but up until seeing Sedos’ production I had yet to experience it for myself. Sedos’ production used the Patrick Marber’s version which was first presented in 2016 at the National Theatre, some 125 years after its original performance.

The show focuses on Hedda, newly married and stifled in her new home and the audience watch as Hedda’s games play out before their eyes and how her relationship with her husband, a former suitor, an old school mate and a business acquittance fair under her attempt of control.

Sedos have really succeeded in stripping back this production to the core themes and attempting to lay bare Hedda and her motives. Their production is set in the traverse and this helps emphasise the feeling of Hedda’s suffocation, as does the stark lighting shining a spotlight on her behaviour. The adaptation itself does throw up some difficulties, it is harder to understand when they show is set in the present time just why Hedda feels so suffocated and bored, an obstacle that was much easier to overcome in 1890. Direction by Jonathon Harding-Cooper ensures that the traverse staging only ever enhances the action and it was carefully thought through to ensure that no moments felt like one half of the audience were missing vital expressions. Harding-Cooper’s thoughtful direction extended not only to the thoughtful blocking but a creative use of music and projection which enhanced the show further.

The portrayal of Hedda by Jamila Jennings-Grant is a tour du force. She is utterly relentless in her quest and is mesmerising in her characterisation. Her mannerisms are nuanced and she sucked me into her character from her earliest moments on stage. A part such as Hedda is a huge seminal part to play for anyone and for Jennings-Grant to pull it off with such aplomb in an amateur production deserves a huge amount of credit.

The remainder of the cast were also excellent, with Charlie O’Reardon playing Hedda’s husband, an affable Jorgen Tesman, a whirlwind wrapped up in his intellectual pursuit and the skin crawling Richard Evans as Brack. Jeryl Burgess played Juliana Tesman, Jorgen’s aunt whose sympathetic and kindly portrayal helped Hedda’s character seem even more unsavoury.

Sedos’ production of Hedda Gabler is a riveting take on this seminal piece of theatre and one where the titular characters portrayal was nuanced and unrelenting. A darkly disturbing night at the theatre which felt fresh despite its literary heritage.

Hedda Gabler is on at the Bridewell Theatre until 12th July. You can find out more and book tickets here.

If you like this review you might also like my review of Hairspray, The Effect and Violet all by Sedos.