past A DOLL'S HOUSE by Henrik Ibsen Rosemary Branch Theatre www.rosemarybranch.co.uk 13 Feb - 4 March 2001 Translated, Directed and Designed by Terje Tveit Lighting Design by Finnuala McNulty Cast: (in order of appearance) Nora Helmer Sarah Head Torvald Helmer William Rowsey Kristine Linde Lisa Barry Dr Rank Graham Elwell Nils Krogstad George Buchanan What the Critics said: "Sometimes restrictions can be the mother of invention. This is the case with the current how at the Rosemary Branch Theatre. Dale Teater Kompani has created a vivid and pacy presentation, where style expresses the substance behind it, rather than trumpeting over it. Performances are lively, passionate and confident. … An old story, a small budget and a huge amount of invention." Highbury & Islington Express "Nora, brilliantly played by Sarah Head, is the doll-loving wife living in the suffocating environs of the doll house. Torvald Helmer (William Rowsey) is her hopelessly patronising husband organising her life because she is a woman, doll-delicate and fragile. … Terje Tveits' translation and direction of Dale Teater Kompani's A Doll's House, is one of those rare events in the London theatre calendar that is head and shoulders above what else is on offer quite simply because of its excellence." Islington Gazette "Terje Tveit, the director, takes this classic text and turns it into an innovative piece of theatre. … Sarah Head is a wonderfully bright Nora full of irritating cheerfulness and well able to take the character from her apparent childishness to an adult willing to undertake the search for hersef. The patronizing Helmer is played with excellent pomposity by William Rowsey and the sexual charge between him and Nora is well realised. … Terje Tveit breathes new life into this piece of naturalism. … If you want to see a refreshing version of Ibsen I recommend a trip to the Dale Teater Kompani at the Rosemary Branch." Theatreworld Internet Magazine "Out of the darkness the latest production by the Dale Teater Kompani bursts onto the stage. From the outset it is obvious that this is going to be a fast-paced, energetic and polished performance of Ibsen's classic. Simple staging and costume comprising mainly of only black and red elements, enhanced by the strong use of colour in the lighting design, certainly help to define the contrasts seen throughout the production in both character and emotion. A strong cast led by Sarah Head as the initially naïve and emotionally developing Nora - quality performances." The Stage