Production PhotosSee Photos of Simon Russell Beale in London's John Gabriel Borkman
The production is playing the Bridge Theatre through November 26.
By
Michael Wiltbank
September 28, 2022
Bridge Theatre’s production of Henrik Ibsen’s John Gabriel Borkman began previews September 24. Opening night is set September 29 for the London run which is scheduled through November 26.
The production is led by Tony winner Simon Russell Beale (The Lehman Trilogy, Jumpers), Olivier winner Clare Higgins (Hecuba,Vincent in Brixton) as Gunhild Borkman, and Olivier and Tony nominee Lia Williams (Skylight, Oresteia) as Ella Rentheim, along with Sebastian De Souza as Erhart Borkman, Daisy Ou as Frida Foldal, Michael Simkins as Willhelm Foldal, and Ony Uhiara as Fanny Wilton. Serving as understudies are Nick Barclay, Hilary Derrett, and Catharine Humphrys.
Lucinda Coxon's new version of the Ibsen play is directed by Olivier and Tony winner Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, Carousel) with associate direction by Isabel Marr. He helms the creative team comprising Tony-nominated set designer Anna Fleischle, costume designer and associate set designer Liam Bunster, lighting designer James Farncombe, sound designer Gareth Fry, costume supervisor Olivia Ward, props supervisor Lily Mollgaard, production manager Kate West, and voice coach Jeannette Nelson. Casting is by Robert Sterne. Coxon's version is based on the literal translation by Charlotte Barslund.
Ibsen’s play tells the story of entrepreneur John Gabriel Borkman whose fortunes take a turn when he is sentenced to prison for fraud. Bankrupt and disgraced, he obsesses over a return to success and glory in the isolation of a room upstairs, while downstairs, his estranged wife plans to restore the family name. All plots are upset, however, by the arrival of her sister and a sudden confrontation with the past.
The Fred Ebb Award recognizes excellence in musical theatre songwriting, by a songwriter or songwriting team that has not yet achieved significant commercial success.