Forgotten gem on show at the Unity

Sep 2 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Artwork for Unity production of Henrik Ibsen's When We Dead Awaken _320

OUR year as European Capital of Culture has had some enormous events so far, but it goes without saying that the smallest still embrace the ethos with as much heart and soul.

No more so than the highlight of the Unity Theatre’s autumn season, a production of Henrik Ibsen’s final completed play, When We Dead Awaken.

The production, directed by one of its patrons, Josette Bushell-Mingo, is a collaboration between the Unity and two Swedish companies; Riksteatern, the national touring theatre of Sweden, and regional company Vasterbottensteatern.

The cast spent last week rehearsing in Liverpool before heading out to Scandinavia for more rehearsals and to begin its tour of the two countries.

It arrives at the Unity, for an unusually long run of eight performances, between October 23 and November 1.

Graeme Phillips, artistic director at the Unity, said: “We wanted to see how many of our four patrons wanted to do something with us for Capital of Culture.

“Josette bit the hook and before we knew it we were working with two Swedish theatre companies.

“We asked her to suggest a play she was passionate about, that she might never have the opportunity to do, and she came back with a fantastic challenge with When We Dead Awaken.

“Everybody does Hedda Gabbler and the Doll’s House ad infinitum. This is a forgotten gem.”

The play, seldom performed, tells the story of an ageing sculptor who has lost all interest in the world around him, and the emotions that come into play when both he and his wife are drawn to others.

The small cast of just four is half English, half Swedish.

The Unity is no stranger to hosting work by foreign companies but this will be the first time it has formed such a collaboration.

The cast and crew are a mix of British and Swedish talent.

Assistant director Chris Meads said: “ What’s been great about this is working with people from three different theatres, coming together and making sure everybody feels a part of the creativity of the overall piece.

“With this, what we are finding is although Ibsen didn’t approach this as his last play, he was trying to explore something new.

“It is really honest as a play and you really get a sense of Ibsen searching for the truth, the nitty-gritty of people.”

The play opens in Umea in Sweden on October 8 before coming to Liverpool.

vickyanderson