Ghosts

SYNOPSIS

Ghosts

Ghosts of a different kind will be descending on the Duchess Theatre this February, haunting people with the memories of the past rather than under white sheets and within the confines of a haunted house.

Henrik Ibsen’s “Ghosts” is a story about moral dilemmas and the way in which events in our past might come back to haunt us. It is a deeply compelling play that will be brought to life with the acting talents of Lesley Sharp and Iain Glen, two stage and screen veterans that will undoubtedly go the extra mile to deliver a gripping and memorable theatre experience.

Ibsen’s 1881 tale introduces us to the character of Mrs Alving (Sharp), a widower who is opening up an orphanage in her home town in memory of her late husband. She is hoping to forget about her husband and all of his philanthropic ways, but her plans escape her with the arrival of her son Osvald, who returns to his home from his travels not only syphilitic but deeply in love with Regina Engstrand. So Alving, who wants the ghosts from the past to rest with her husband, realises that his sins may never be forgiven. Whilst Osvald holds feeling for Engstrand, he is unaware that she might be a lot closer to him than he originally realises. Henrik Ibsen’s “Ghosts” is a tale of hypocrisy, love and betrayal.

Both Sharp and Glen, the two stars of the production, will be teaming up after wowing audiences with their performances in “The Diary of Anne Frank”, which aired on the BBC in early 2009. However, they have both paved an extensive stage career as well, allowing them to bring years of experience to the upcoming production.

Sharp’s theatre credits include “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice”, which also featured Diane Vickers at the Vaudeville Theatre in 2009, as well as “Harper Regan” at the Cottesloe National Theatre in 2008 and “The God of Hell” at the Donmar Warehouse in 2005. In addition to “The Diary of Anne Frank”, she has also appeared in “Clocking Off” (2000) and “Afterlife” (2005).

Meanwhile, Scottish actor Iain Glen has appeared in many productions, including his Laurence Olivier Award nominated turns in “Martin Guerre” at the Prince Edward Theatre in 1996 and “The Blue Room” at the Donmar Warehouse in 1998. He has also appeared in “Hedda Gabler” at the Duke of York’s Theatre in 2005 and “The Crucible” at the Gielgud Theatre in 2006, whilst his screen appearances include “Harry Brown” and “Kingdom of Heaven”. “Ghosts” will mark his directorial debut.

“Ghosts” appears at the Duchess Theatre from Tuesday 23rd February 2010 (previews from Thursday 11th February 2010) to Saturday 15th May 2010.