ROSMERSHOLM - REVIEW OF 2014 CROW’S NEST THEATRE PRODUCTION

Reviewed by James Karas

Rosmersholm is a political extravaganza, a family saga, a war between conservatism and liberalism, all combined with complex personal relationships. In Duncan Macmillan’s adaptation, we get a stunning production by Crow’s Theatre that ranks with the best theatre in Toronto.

Macmillan makes some changes to Ibsen’s text, some of them reflecting current political reality especially the American elections. The adaptation was first produced in London in 2019 and reflected the political turmoil in England at the time but it applies just as well to today’s political mayhem south of the border.

John Rosmer (Jonathan Young) is the heir of an old prominent family and he has inherited wealth and position. But he has problems. His wife committed suicide and Rebecca West (Virgilia Griffith) a beautiful, complex and mysterious woman is living with him. He is haunted by his wife’s death and does not understand it. He is surrounded by portraits of his forebears and must face the possibility of being the last of the dynasty. Did his wife commit suicide because she could not give him a son?

Virgilia Griffith. Jonathan  Young  and Diego Matamoros in 

Rosmersholm at Crow's Theatre

Rebecca is probably the most complex character in the play. She was a friend of Rosmer’s wife and stayed on after her death. Griffith gives a superb performance of strength, conviction, and love for Rosmer but we are never sure if Rebecca is telling the truth. Rosmer and Rebecca seem to share philosophical and political opinions but we are not sure who is doing the thinking and calling the shots. Rosmer is a former pastor who has lost his faith and holds liberal views An idealist with no political experience, he thinks that he can sway the public with his decency and concern for people. Young exudes the confusion, decency and in the end the tragedy of a man caught between dynastic pressures, political turmoil, the influence of a strong woman and idealism. Tough role done marvelously. 

Virgilia Griffith and Jonathan Young in Rosmersholm 

Andreas Kroll (Ben Carlson) is Rosmer’s brother-in-law and the Governor who is facing an election. He is a rabid conservative, a bombastic politician, and a powerful man who must get his way. He needs Rosmer’s support and attacks him viciously when he does not get it. He is a modern politician and the idealist Rosmer does not stand a chance against him. Ben Carlson’s performance reflects all those characteristics of Kroll with complete assurance and precision. A pleasure to watch.

Kate Hennig as the servant Mrs. Helseth, Beau Dixon as Peter Mortensgaard and Diego Matamoros as Ulrik Mendel give superb performances.

Joshua Quinlan’s set is an outstanding flight of the imagination. The whole theatre becomes the Rosmer mansion with family portraits hanging above the audience. The costumes by Ming Wong and the furniture reflect the nineteenth century setting and we feel that we are in a mansion of that era.

The lighting design by Kimberly Purtell and Imogen Wilson enhances the size of the great house and the ghosts that occupy it.

All of that is combined with the work of Director Chris Abraham to give us an eclectic and brilliant production. Abraham pays attention to every detail and nuance of the performance.

Abraham, a meticulous, imaginative and talented man of the theatre, is one of the best directors around. He chooses plays wisely and produces them brilliantly making Crow’s  one of the best theatrical companies in Toronto. Rosmersholm is an outstanding example of his work.
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Rosmersholm by Henrik Ibsen in an adaptation by Duncan Macmillan continues until   October 11, 2024, Streetcar/Crowsnest Theatre, 345 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.  http://crowstheatre.com/
James Karas is the Senior Editor, Culture of The Greek Press