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By
Henrik Ibsen -
In a version by
Christopher Hampton -
Directed by
Melanie Luckman
Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 ground-breaking, realist classic A Doll’s House (in a translation by Christopher Hampton, The Father) centres on an ordinary family—Torvald Helmer, a bank lawyer, his wife, Nora, and their children. Torvald supposes himself the ethical member of the family, while his wife assumes the role of the pretty and irresponsible little woman.
In this enduringly powerful drama, through an intricate story of reputations, secrets, love, and betrayal, Nora finds her way out of the “doll’s house” constructed by a restrictive society, ready to discover who she really is.
Famous for “the door slam heard around the world”, A Doll’s House stands as one of the most important plays in the theatrical canon.
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Key Dates
- 7:30pm, Friday, 11 October 2024: Accessibly Priced Preview - on sale 9.30am, Monday 7 October
- 7:30pm, Saturday, 12 October 2024: Opening night
- 6:30pm, Tuesday, 15 October 2024: Forum - a special performance where audiences get to ask cast and crew questions after the show
- 7:30pm, Saturday, 19 October 2024: New Zealand Actors Benevolent Fund 'bucket drive'
- 6:30pm, Thursday 31 October 2024: NZSL Interpreted Performance
- 2pm, Saturday, 2 November 2024: Matinee
- 2pm, Saturday, 9 November 2024: Backstage Tour
- 7:30pm, Saturday, 9 November 2024: Closing night
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Tickets
Earlybird** Standard Adult $55 $65 Senior (65+) $55 $59 Friends of The Court Theatre $55 $55 Group (10+) 10% Discount* Child (under 18) $33 Community Services, Student ID or Hāpai Access cardholders $39 *Applies to Standard Adult, Friends, Child and Senior price tickets
** Early bird price is only valid for the first two weeks of the show’s season – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Matinees only. Early bird ticket sales close on the opening night of the show. -
Cast
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Creatives
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Chaperones
Maezee Burgess
Chaperone
Marcella Herrera
Chaperone
Jill MacGregor
Chaperone
Bradley Mutch
Chaperone
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Young Performer Schedule
Time & Date Young Performer Cast 7:30pm, Friday 11 October (Preview) Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Saturday 12 October (Opening) Annabelle, Willow, George 6:30pm, Tuesday 15 October (Forum) Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Wednesday 16 October Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 6:30pm, Thursday 17 October Annabelle, Willow, George 7:30pm, Friday 18 October Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Saturday 19 October Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 6:30pm, Tuesday 22 October Annabelle, Willow, George 6:30pm, Thursday 24 October Annabelle, Willow, George 7:30pm, Friday 25 October Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Saturday 26 October Annabelle, Willow, George 6:30pm, Tuesday 29 October Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Wednesday 30 October Annabelle, Willow, George 6:30pm, Thursday 31 October (NZSL Show) Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Friday 1 November Annabelle, Willow, George 2:00pm, Saturday 2 November Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Saturday 2 November Annabelle, Willow, George 6:30pm, Tuesday 5 November Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Wednesday 6 November Annabelle, Willow, George 6:30pm, Thursday 7 November Emilie, Charlotte, Ben 7:30pm, Friday 8 November Annabelle, Willow, George 7:30pm, Saturday 9 November (Closing) Emilie, Charlotte, Ben -
Press Reviews
"If it is a mark of classic works for theatre that they speak forcefully to audiences across time and place, it is a mark of maturity and depth of talent in a company that it rises to the challenge of making that happen for a different world. The Court’s current production meets the measure of both."
"A Doll’s House is a profound exploration of human nature, and this production is a masterful depiction of what it means to be both constructed and truly human."
"Nora’s famous choice to reconsider the parameters of her marriage remains an evergreen interrogation of gender roles and social mores. There is clear artistic value in looking to the canon, alongside more contemporary programming, as the play still feels current 145 years on."
"The production that director Melanie Luckman has created is remarkable. The actors keep the audience captivated as the story unfolds. Costuming, based on Norwegian fashion from the time is superbly detailed. The set is magnificent."
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Backstage Tour
Step behind the scenes at The Court Theatre to explore a world of theatrical magic!
Everything happens on site here at our Addington Shed, from the creation of grand sets out in our workshop, to the crafting of astounding costumes you've seen in productions like Something Rotten!.
A member of our Court Theatre team will host your tour, sharing stories of past productions and giving you a real taste of what goes on behind the scenes at the South Island's largest theatre company.
The backstage tour for A Doll's House will be held at 2pm on 9 November 2024. Book your tickets here.
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Audience Reviews (2)
"Last night I went to my first Court Theatre show in many, many years to see their production of a theatre classic, A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen and adapted by Christopher Hampton. I’ve seen the play at La Boite Theatre a few years ago but wasn’t emotionally engaged with it (it was an excellent production). The Court’s production however had me enthralled all the way through. The overall look was in keeping with the period it’s set in and beautifully so, but the direction, performance and storytelling was fabulous. The cast imbued their characters and the lead actor, Acushla-Tara Kupe, a Ngati Maniapoto wahine, really clinched the complex role of Nora. I didn’t connect with Nora’s character in the first production I saw, but this time I did all due to her wonderful performance. I absolutely love La Boite and it’s one of the places I really miss shifting back home, but I’m absolutely stoked that I’ve got a new favourite place here to entertain and challenge me at the Court Theatre."
This superbly acted, powerful, riveting, and believable drama held my attention from the first line to ‘the slamming of the door’ at the very end.
The magnificently crafted set took you to the period of when the play was set, but the relevance of the play could have been set in a modern home today.
This is a must see play in my opinion.
Beautifully crafted and directed by Melanie.
I wrote much more but decided you should go and see it for yourselves."