When Ibsen wrote The Doll’s House in the late 19^th century attitudes towards marriage, money and family life were more conservative than they are now and the play was considered provocative. We may still suffer from some of the same prejudices explored in the play but at least most human rights are enshrined in law; these days a woman doesn’t need to seek permission from her husband or father to obtain a loan, for instance. Ibsen’s examination of a woman’s role in the family, marriage and household can still resonate and the play continues to be popular. It’s regarded as a modern classic by some and the lead character of housewife Nora is thought of as a defining role for many actresses.

Director Anna Friend has positioned the play in a contemporary setting; the action takes place around Christmas in the fitted kitchen of a modern family home complete with wine rack, microwave and LED fairy lights. Nora appears with her shopping while husband Torvald works in his study. She is a busy housewife and mother and he is a hardworking and ambitious bank manager. The routineness of family life appears to be playing out. Nevertheless, from the secret chocolate eating to the hidden loan, we discover as the plot unfolds that there are tensions in this idyll.

The themes and characters of this play are well known to audiences and the history of its famous performances might be a burden to a production like this; staged in a small theatre above a pub. However, the enclosed environment of the Alma Tavern Theatre echoes the claustrophobia of the family life depicted in the play, and we are close enough to the actors to get a real sense of their ordeals. There is also a heavy responsibility on the cast and they respond positively. Robust performances all round are topped by the superlative showing of Jasmine Atkins-Smart as Nora. At first frivolous and shallow, later becoming intense and finally both distressed and resolute. Jasmine guides us along as the plot develops and holds our sympathy to the end. Giles Coram plays Husband Torvald; the unthinking, overbearing guardian of his caged bird Nora. Strongly voiced, an intense and solid performance. Giles utters the profoundly bigoted refrains in the final scenes so credibly that he draws gasps, cries and nervous laughter from the audience. We despise him, but in the end we almost feel sorry for him; trapped by conventions and circumstance nearly as much as Nora. Daniel Hawthorne, Jenny Jope, Ben Nash and Alexandra Stroud are consistent in the supporting roles.

There is something slightly incongruous about hearing the words of this play in a modern setting but with powerful acting and concentrated direction the main themes are brought to life. The creators, Schoolhouse Productions, say their aim is to breathe new life into classic theatre and this show is solid proof that their formula works.     ★★★☆☆      Adrian Mantle    15^th March 2017