International NewsLondon Run of John Gabriel Borkman at Bridge Theatre Opens September 29
Previews began September 24 for the Ibsen play starring Tony winner Simon Russell Beale, Olivier winner Clare Higgins, and Olivier and Tony nominee Lia Williams.
By
Leah Putnam
September 29, 2022
Henrik Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkmanopens its London run at Bridge Theater September 29. The production began previews September 24, and has performances set through November 26.
Tony winner Simon Russell Beale (The Lehman Trilogy, Jumpers) leads the cast as the titular John Gabriel Borkman, joined in the cast by Olivier winner Clare Higgins (Hecuba,Vincent in Brixton) as Gunhild Borkman, and Olivier and Tony nominee Lia Williams (Skylight, Oresteia) as Ella Rentheim. Sebastian De Souza stars as Erhart Borkman, along with 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.
Olivier and Tony winner Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, Carousel) directs the new version of the Ibsen work from Lucinda Coxon, with associate direction by Isabel Marr.
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 creative team is comprised of 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.
The musical, a reinvention of Tim Burton’s cult classic film Edward Scissorhands, uses the pop music of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Alanis Morissette, and more.
Directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, the production played the Chichester Festival Theatre this past summer and will arrive in London in December.