Hedda Gabler Flashcards
when was the play published?
1890 (in the 19th century)
what type of society was it?
patriarchal society = women had very little power
however Ibsen was an early feminist writer
Hedda- Tone of voice, and dynamics
Hedda’s voice should be managed and cool, with a sharpness to it. Harsh and commanding tone.
She may speak with a condescending or disdain. Particularly when dealing with people she considers beneathe her, like Mrs Elvstead.
Soft and alluring when being manipulative.
The actress should avoid being overly warm or expressive; instead lean into a clipped calculating tone that underscores her desire to manipulate and control the people around her.
Thea- Tone of voice, and dynamics
Mrs Elvstead’s voice should be high pitched and filled with nervous energy.
Her speech might be softer, less controlled, and more emotionally driven.
She often sounds eager to please, particularly around Hedda, but also reveals her vulnerability and need for reassurance.
The tone should show a contrast to Hedda’s clipped, cold speech.
Hedda- Facial Expressions
Encourage minimal facial expressions.
Hedda’s face should often remain unreadable, ding her inner turmoil beneath a vender of calm.
However, moments of frustration or irritation (like when things don’t go as she wants) should be sharply hightened perhaps through tightly clenched jaw or sudden brief flashes of anger, shown through narrowing of eyebrows.
Hidden frowns.
Forced smiles.
Thea- Facial Expressions
Encourage the actress to show more vulnerability and emotional transparency in her face.
Her expressions might be wide eyed, her eyebrows raised in concern, or she might constantly look to others for validation.
Eyes dart around the room.
Her face should reflect her emotional turbulence, showing more rawness than Hedda’s composed mask.
Hedda- posture and movement
Hedda is often poised, controlling, and self-possessed.
Direct the actress to move with a certain elegance almost aloofness= Elite upbringing, she glides.
Her body language should convey a sense of entitlement, as though she is used to being in control, chin up looking down, purposeful.
Encourage deliberate movement, but avoid any physicality that feels ‘too open’ stillness, deliberate, holds eye contact, stares intensely at times.
Thea- posture and movement
Mrs Elvstead is the opposite of Hedda in terms of physical presence- fidgeting, can’t really hold eye contact- nervous.
She’s more hesitant with her movement, she’s more open, timid, and often portrayed as fragile or uncertain.
Direct the actress to be more physically ‘soft’ in her movements- gentle, hesitant, and without the self-assurance Hedda exudes.
She may fidget or avoid direct eye contact, conveying her lack of confidence and discomfort in certain situations.
Introduction:
Ibsen’s 19th century ‘Hedda Gabler’ explores the frustration women had due to their little power in the patriarchal 19th century.
Ibsen although not a feminist certainly challenged conventions placed on women at the time, revealed through Ibsen’s stark contrast between Thea and Hedda.
Hedda represents the frustration of her sex, she is equally bored and repressed, but too terrified of the scandal that would arise if she were to behave improper.
Thea is also defined by her relationship with a man.
However, Thea embodied the courage to leave her loveless marriage despite the ‘talk’ of the town.
Interpretation:
As a director I wish to reveal Hedda’s cunning, cold, manipulative nature, reflecting her emotions are too almost repressed.
In contrast, to Thea’s compassionate, trusting, warm nature.
I also intend to reveal how Hedda looks down on Thea, and uses her as an escape from her boredom; leading Thea to be intimidated and frightened of Hedda’s suddenly caring nature.
I WILL DIRECT MY ACTORS IN A NATURALISTIC STYLE AS APPROPRIATE TO THE ORIGINAL CONTEXT OF THE PLAY.
Natuarlism:
I will direct my actors in a naturalistic style as appropriate to the original context of the play.
Casting choice:
As the director I would want the two actresses to look as different as possible; to achieve this I would want the actress playing Hedda to have short thin auburn hair which is straight.
I would also want her to have a slim build and angular face, with light/greyish eyes.
I would also want her to be pale, as ultimately this will work together to reflect Hedda’s cold nature.
Contralily, I would want the actress playing Thea to have an abundance off curly blonde hair, due to the significance of this to her and Hedda’s relationship, as this is something Hedda is jealous of.
I would also want her to have a delicate build and a round face with blue eyes to contrast Hedda.
Explaining choice of extract:
My first extract is from act one, when Thea Alvstead visits the Desman’s out off her concern for Loevborg.
In this extract, we witness Hedda’s cold manipulative nature, as she preys on Thea, taking advantage of her warm, compassionate personality.
I chose this extract as it exacerbated the stark contrast between Hedda and Thea.
