WHEN Ibsen’s classic was first performed it drew a universally bad press, with Hedda described as “a monster in female form to whom no parallel can be found in real life”.
In this production, an adaptation by Christopher Hampton superbly directed by Wendy Cronan, Hedda seemed only too real: an educated, emancipated woman driven to the brink by the simple fact of being born at the wrong time. And in Pam Goldsbrough’s brilliant portrayal her gradual descent from boredom to desperation was almost frightening in its intensity, with every movement and expression mirroring the character’s inner turmoil to perfection.
There was no doubting the power this Hedda wielded over everyone who crossed her path, not least the tragic Eilert Lovborg (a finely judged performance from Phil Girdlestone) and her husband George Tesman (a most benign Steve Russell).
I also very much liked the thoughtful performances of Mary Gould (Mrs Elvsted) and George Goldsbrough (Judge Brack), and there were lovely cameos from Jan Houghton-Brown (Berthe) and Anne Matthews (Miss Juliane Tesman).
And despite the small dimensions of the stage there was a wonderfully detailed set, with props and costumes absolutely right for the period.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemout Daily Echo