What a woman wants

Noted playwright Henrik Ibsen’s classic play Hedda Gabler comes to Mumbai

Hedda Gabler, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s creation, has always generated a lot of interest amongst theatre lovers. While some critics have called her The Female Hamlet, Hedda has been touted by others as one of the greatest dramatic roles in theatre. Mumbaikars will now get an opportunity to get into the complex mind of this immortal and legendary character in a play by the same name.

Set in 1890s, the play revolves around Hedda, who ties the knot with George Tesman, an aspiring professor. But she is bored with her marriage after returning from her honeymoon. She soon starts plotting against the brilliant and dissolute Eilert Lovborg, her old admirer and her husband’s rival for a coveted academic post. In the process, Hedda is drawn into the clutches of the predatory Judge Brack, who is keen on establishing a menage a trois.

Noted actor Sheeba Chaddha is portraying Hedda’s role that has been earlier performed by reputed artistes like Ingrid Bergman and Cate Blanchett. Depending on the interpretation, Hedda may be portrayed as an idealistic heroine fighting society, a victim of circumstance, a prototypical feminist or a manipulative villain. Sheeba admits that Hedda is all this and much more. “She’s a very difficult character to play as she is extremely complex and conflicted. Hedda knows and believes something but she’s taken in by impulse and does something completely contrary. She continues to surprise me everyday. It’s extremely taxing to portray her.” The actor, who has earlier acted in C For Clown, The Blue Mug and Othello In Black & White, says Hedda has several dark and raw shades and is essentially an individual who grapples with social conformity, family and love and has an innate sense of conflict.

Apart from reading the text, Sheeba is interpreting Hedda as per the script. “The key process is the rehearsal. On my part, I’ve decided to portray the role with sincerity and diligence,” she adds.

A lot of parallels have been drawn between Hamlet and Hedda. Sheeba says, “Hamlet is synonymous with tragedy. There’s a sense of cosmic doubt in his character and he’s unable to grapple with his own life. Hedda, also is completely in conflict with herself.”

Apart from Sheeba, the cast comprises Neeraj Kabi, Denzil Smith, Samar Sarila, Tillotama Shome, Shipra Singh and Veera Abadan. Each character acts as a foil to another character. For instance, Tilottoma Shome, who is best known for her acclaimed portrayal of Alice in Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding, is playing Thea Elvstead, who is the antithesis of Hedda. “She is everything that Hedda is not. She seems to be a simple woman but she’s definitely more than what meets the eye. She does all those things that Hedda always aspires to do but doesn’t have the courage to do,” says Tilottoma.

The actor, who has a Masters from the New York University in Educational Theatre, is making her foray in the Mumbai theatre scene with Hedda Gabler. The prospect of acting in a different medium with an equally different play prompted Tilottoma to participate in this project. “I like to step out of my comfort zone and do something challenging. Being too comfortable with anything makes me uncomfortable. Hedda Gabler was the perfect opportunity for me because the play is set in a span of 36 hours and the actors have to portray different emotions from one sentence to another. It’s a great exercise for an actor,” explains Tilottoma.

She admits that theatre is a risky business but that’s what makes it fun. “I follow the adage - decide nothing before going on stage and deny nothing when you are on stage. Theatre is about spontaneity,” says Tilottoma with a smile.

Hedda Gabler will be staged on July 3 at NCPA, Mumbai.