Preview: Broken Arrow Productions present 'A Doll's House'

Broken Arrow Productions have really burst onto the theatre scene in Southampton in the past year. Their previous projects have included ‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller and ‘Still Life: A Double Bill’ two original pieces. Their next production; ‘A Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen, abridged and directed by Alexander Curtis, runs this week in Eastleigh. I spoke to Alexander about the production.

What’s the show about?

It’s about a dysfunctional, abusive marriage. It tells the story of Nora Helmer and her husband Torvald, set in the three days sandwiching Christmas Day, as Nora battles to keep secrets from her controlling, manipulative other half.

Why this show?

This show was first written in the late 19th Century, but its themes of psychological, domestic abuse are ones which still ring true today; just look at how many times the show was put on in major theatre in London and internationally last year. In Nora, Ibsen was able to create a psychologically nuanced and developed character the likes of which hadn’t really been seen before, and all of the characters on the stage speak with such layers of subtext that it is a real challenge and joy for the actors and audience to see real people deteriorate and evolve on stage.

How have rehearsals been?

Rehearsals have been as eye-opening for me as they have been for the rest of the cast. I have employed more professional methods than either I or the actors have been used to, casting aside traditional ideas of ‘having a character’. The cast have really blossomed, giving interesting and surprising, but crucially truthful, performances.

What makes your production different?

We wanted to resist the traditional setting, and to give the audience something more interesting. Although the characters and themes resonate across time, a late 19th Century Scandinavian setting does not give all that much to relate to for a contemporary Southampton audience. We have chosen to set the play in 1960s Britain, a time in which the social mores of the piece were still a part of some people’s lives, and a time which a modern audience can relate to, culturally if not personally.

 Describe the show in three words.

Vibrant, psychological, uneasy.

Why should people come and see it?

Anyone who is a fan of thoughtful and socially-minded theatre should come and see this. And to be honest, as should anyone who wants to see how amateur and semi-professional theatre can be performed to a completely different degree of precision and honesty. I can’t emphasise how much this cast have blown me away.

The show runs this week from the 8th to the 10th at 7:30pm at the Court House, part of Soco Music Project in Eastleigh, SO50 9ZN. Tickets are £8 for Students, £10 for Adults. You can get tickets on the door.

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