Our next production: Henrik Ibsen's classic, A Doll's House
Directed by Jocelyn Pye.
The play
We are pleased to announce that our next show is a new translation of Ibsen's masterpiece, A Doll's House. It will be performed this autumn in the Studio at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake.
Sometimes it takes a friend to show us that the cage door is already open.
Nora Helmer, her husband and three acquaintances circle around each other within the beautiful but oppressive confines of nineteenth-century society. Will they continue to reset the trap, or embolden each other to break free?
As another Christmas comes and goes in the Helmer household, a tree is decorated, a party is planned, and old debts resurface. Gripped in what seems like a hopeless situation, Nora tries multiple ways to find her own freedom. But can she avoid becoming complicit through her very survival tactics?
Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece speaks directly to us from a small Norwegian town over 140 years ago. With its 'brisk and thriller-like plotting' (The Guardian), complex characters and compelling theme, this groundbreaking play has retained its relevance for audiences throughout the decades.
A new translation
Director Jocelyn Pye is making a new translation of the play, to give us creative freedom during rehearsals. It also means we are in touch with Ibsen's original rather than reading it filtered through numerous previous translations.
Dates
Casting begins on 16 June into July.
Rehearsals begin 8 September 2025.
Performance week at the Studio, Theatre by the Lake, 24-29 November 2025
Get involved
Casting sessions
A Doll's House - first casting session
Monday 16 June 7pm, upstairs at Quaker meeting room
More info
Casting session no. 2 - tbc
Date to be confirmed
Interested actors will be invited to read and act out selected extracts from the play together. These could be the same as those used in previous workshops. Jocelyn aims to make them available in advance of the casting workshop.
Production meeting
We need your help. Set design, wardrobe, music, lighting, publicity! Date tbc
Rehearsals
Starting 8 September, Monday and Wednesday evenings 7-9.15pm, upstairs at Quaker Meeting Rooms.
Performance week
- Mon 24 Nov: tech rehearsal
- Tues 25 Nov: dress rehearsal
- Weds 26 - Sat 29 Nov: performances 7.30pm
- Sat 29 Nov: additional matinee performance 2pm