What Did The Critics Think Of Rosmersholm?
News Desk, May 3rd, 2019Starring Tom Burke and Haley Atwell
Henrik Ibsen's lesser-known play Rosmersholm is making a rare appearance on the West End stage this spring. Starring Hayley Atwell, Tom Burke and Giles Terera, what did the critics think of this Ian Rickson directed revival?
The general outcome was a positive one. The Stage praised Hayley Atwell's performance as Rebecca saying that she was "superb" and "She radiates intelligence and frustration, to the point that she somewhat overshadows Burke's guilt-ridden Rosmer."
The Evening Standard was full of praise for the production saying, "The play is a hard one to get right...But here, in a crisp new version by Duncan McMillan, it's absorbing. Ian Rickson's production is expertly paced, and there are vivid supporting performances."
The Hollywood Reporter commented upon the grand set design saying, "Rosmersholm scores most highly is as a visual spectacle. Rae Smith's grand set design, a cavernous mansion interior in a state of poetic decay, is an arrestingly beautiful stand-alone artwork, a living Vermeer painting superbly illuminated by Neil Austin with shafts of artificial sunlight".
What is Rosermsholm about?
Whilst Rosmer seeks to buck tradition and support the revolutionary new order, he is paralysed by the ghosts of his own past and the appearance of the perplexing Rebecca West. As he strives to stick to his ideals, it seems that Rebecca, a friend of his late wife, will do anything to upend life as he knows it.
Rosmersholm is now playing at the Duke of York's Theatre through to July 20.
