The Lady from the Sea at The Bridge Theatre

Theatre Group members attended the Bridge Theatre on Thursday 5 November to see The Lady from the Sea by Simon Stone, a modern-day interpretation of the play of the same name by Henrik Ibsen. The Bridge Theatre is “in the round”, and the central stage was cleverly used. There was an emphasis on water throughout, with references to swimming in the first half, then the second half enacted in pouring rain, after which the stage transformed into a swimming pool.

Alicia Vikander and Andrew Lincoln as central characters Ellida and her husband Edward gave superb performances, as did all the actors, justifying their standing ovation. The dialogue was rapid in pace and full of humour.

The play addressed themes of loss:
Edward and his two daughters lost his first wife, their mother, when she died
Edward will soon lose his friend Heath, who is dying
Edward offends his friend Lyle by rejecting gifts
Edward faces losing, at least temporarily, both daughters, who have made plans to study elsewhere
Edward faces losing Ellie, when her former lover Finn appears, hoping to take up where he left off with her 25 years previously

Ellie is faced with choosing between ex-lover and husband, and eventually rejects both, sending away Finn and departing Edward’s house, saying she might never return.

Contributed by Elizabeth Adcock