This Winter, Theatre Works invites audiences to dive into the hauntingly beautiful world of Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts.
A scathing commentary on 19th-century morality, when first staged in 1882 Ghosts was bitterly criticised and attacked for the taboo topics it spotlit. In this gripping drama audiences join Mrs. Alving as she tries to shield her son from the truth of their family’s past. But as ghostly secrets unravel, they are forced to confront the reality of their lives. Flawlessly shrouded in deception and duty, Ghosts is a journey through the shadows of hidden sins, and a quest for truth in pursuit of joy.
Masterfully adapted by Jodi Gallagher and brought to life through the visionary direction of Steven Mitchell Wright, this new production takes a recognised Scandinavian sitting-room drama and grafts it to the Australian landscape of the late 1800s. A dynamic fusion of Ibsen’s classic structure with contemporary form and convention, this highly anticipated season will break new ground by also weaving in a tapestry of digital media that will bridge time, space, and consciousness
This production will be Wright’s second Ibsen season with his first – A Doll’s House headlining Brisbane Festival with La Boite Theatre Company – winning multiple Matilda Awards.
While staying true to the spirit of Ibsen’s work, this adaptation by Jodi Gallagher also boasts a contemporary, relevant script that marries poeticism with accessibility.
With a design influenced by the work of artists like Gertrude Abercrombie, Charles Baudelaire, and Metallica, this latest reimagining invites audiences into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Bringing together a remarkable team of cast and creatives that includes lighting and video design by Aron Murray and composition and sound by Leahannah Ceff, Melbourne theatre lovers can expect a visually stunning, emotionally charged experience that stays true to the spirit of Ibsen while resonating with contemporary audiences.
Running for three weeks only this May and June at Theatre Works, the stage is set for a journey that will captivate, challenge, and inspire.
One of Australia’s longest-running independent theatres, Theatre Works is constantly reinvigorating and reimagining the sector by providing a hotbed for artist and audience development. Ghosts is playing as a part of the “By Theatre Works” programming stream. Other By Theatre Works productions in 2024 include Swansong, Things I Know to be True, The Volition Project, and The Machine Stops.
May 30 – June 15
