Raven Theatre masterfully tells the classic story of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” demonstrating the importance of individuality, and how choosing one’s path is better than living a lie.
At the beginning of the play, which runs through March 22, Nora Helmer is a 19th century wife who dotingly loves her husband Torvald, a hard-working bank manager. Nora’s life slowly begins to change as her childhood friend Kristine comes into their home asking for a job.
Kristine is given a new position at the bank, thanks to Nora persuading Torvald. Later an unexpected guest comes to the house. An employee of the bank named Krogstad asks Nora to help him keep his job at the bank.
From that point forward Nora must decide to either help Krogstad or have her past that she so desperately tried to hide, be revealed.
“A Doll’s House” is set the 19th century. But some themes – like only a woman can raise children – can still be seen in some quarters today.
Raven Theatre choosing this masterwork of a play further emphasizes the importance of why it needs to be told in the present day. The symbolism in Nora represents that all voices should be heard, regardless of who or what that person is.
The simple set demonstrates how limited Nora’s life is. To be confined in a home for the rest of their life and have Torvald calling her whatever he wants, demonstrates that she is in a literal doll house.
Nora must decide if she wants to break out of this cage or be told what to do for the rest of her days. The play – and actress Amira Danan, playing Nora – leaves the audience on edge, wondering what she will do next.
This play, while it shows how much work has been done in the past, also shows that there should still work to be done.
“A Doll’s House” runs for 90 minutes and will go from Feb. 6 to March 22. Go to Raven Theatre’s website to purchase tickets.
