By Edita Bardhi
Opinion Editor
This past week, ESU’s Department of Theatre presented, “A Doll’s House,” a three-act play by Henrik Isben and directed by Frank McGuinness.
Originally a short story, this play was performed by theatre major students at the Smith-McFarland Theatre from April 17 to the 21 at 7:30 p.m. It was performed once more on April 22 at 2 p.m.
Upon entering the theatre, attendees were given a pamphlet marking down all cast and crew. It included name, title, experience, and current placement at the university.
Various age groups attended this performance ranging from elders to adolescents. Some had arrived to support their family, some to earn extra credit and others out of interest.
“Extra credit. But I love plays, honestly,” one student replied when asked what her reason for coming was.
“I think it is unique. It is relatable to people I’ve seen and their desire for money,” said another student.
As the first act began, “Christmas Eve: Morning,” the audience was welcomed by orchestra music playing. This soothing feature had everyone silenced until the characters arrived on stage.
Then, the forever elegant scenery was displayed. Curtain drapes, a chandelier, vintage chairs and couches and yellow-colored stage all set the scene.
“Hide the Christmas tree carefully Ellen; the children mustn’t see it be. Coro this evening, when it’s lighted up. How much?” said Nora, who was played by Gabriella Williams, an ESU freshman with a double major in theater and communication.
For the next forty minutes, the audience was quiet except for a few moments of laughter.
Once the second act took place, “Christmas Day: Late Afternoon,” everyone became engaged upon the plot, curious to know what will happen next.
By the third act, “Day After Christmas: Night,” the audience gasped at the sudden change in dialect tone.
Throughout the play, the cast wore clothing and had their hair done to fit their character. They all resembled dolls.
“My favorite part was when I am beginning to expose Nora for her forgery. Throughout the play, I am a stick in the mud, so this scene feels like the most fun for the character,” Jules Gindraux, a junior majoring in theatre with a concentration of theater, acting, and television, said. He played the character Nils Krogstad.
“This is a very difficult play to put on, and I enjoyed reading it for the first time. To have been cast in such a play means that the director believed that I, as well as the other actors, was good enough to be a part of it. And for that, it is a great honor,” said Gindraux.
Email Edita at:
ebardhi@live.esu.edu
