From the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, we’re joined by Hattie Morahan who is starring in Ghosts, Henrik Ibsen’s taboo-busting 1881 play, which shocked audiences of the time with its frank depictions of venereal disease and theme of incest.
This revival, directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, is making history as it is the first time an Ibsen play has been performed at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Ghosts was Ibsen's follow-up to A Doll's House – a play in which Hattie Morahan starred as Nora at the Young Vic in 2012 and won an Evening Standard Theatre Award – but in comparison did not become the huge success Ibsen hoped it would be due to its themes.
Morahan describes how this incredibly challenging play, condensed to 100 minutes, has navigated Ibsen’s tragic story, and how "totally exciting” the experience has been for her so far.
Morahan also gives her view on comments from renowned British director Katie Mitchell (with whom the actor has worked) who criticised the "misogyny and rage of the British critics".
This play is quite the contrast to the usual shows audiences might choose to visit during December in the West End, but Hattie gives us the reason why Ghosts is still the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas festivities.
Plus, Nancy and the Nick’s review The Homecoming and Infinite Life this week.
Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming, which is running at the Young Vic, is directed by Matthew Dunster and stars Jared Harris (Chernobyl, Mad Men), Lisa Diveney (Call the Midwife) and Joe Cole (Gangs of London, Peaky Blinders).
Infinite Life is on at the National Theatre and is by American playwright Annie Baker and directed by James Macdonald, who also directed Lucy Kirwood’s The Welkin at the National in 2020.
Also this week, we discuss the news that the award-winning Red Pitch (a favourite of all three of the hosts) will transfer from the Bush to the West End early next year, and that Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati will star in Waiting for Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in September.
As always we love hearing from you! Get in touch and tell us what you think of the show and what you would like us to discuss next. Our email is theatrepod@standard.co.uk.
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