Well, we can make it official. Sheridan Smith can do anything. I saw the second preview of the new Hedda Gabler at the Old Vic last night and was pretty much overwhelmed by her riveting performance in this most difficult of roles.
Hedda is a nasty piece of work, contemptuous, wilfully destructive, lashing out at others for no apparent reason and Sheridan is all of that but she's also deeply vulnerable, a woman on the verge right from the get go. Beneath the pretty smile she's in constant torment and you feel for her even as you're appalled at what she's doing. I have seen the play twice before but never felt emotionally involved in it - this time I did.
It's an excellent production, lots of nice touches and wonderful performances from Adrian Scarborough as Tesman, Hedda's overgrown boy of a husband and Fenella Woolgar as the frantic Thea Elvsted. The only sour note for me was Brian Friel's "version" (not translation) of the play. For some reason he felt the need to lumber Judge Brack (Darrell D'Silva) with a penchant for American colloquialisms. When was the last time you heard "Gee Whiz" and "Making Whoopee" in an Ibsen play? It was funny the first time but got old fast.
From the moment I heard about this, I thought it had the potential to be a really excellent production. Having seen Sheridan Smith on stage previously, there is something about her which is so utterly convincing and compelling. Am looking forward very much to seeing this production, albeit not until very late on in the run.
Yeah she won the Olivier for Best actress in a musical for Legally Blonde, and last year won the gong for Supporting Performance in a Play for Flare Path and I see no reason why she won't be a shoo in for best actress in a play for this Hedda.
So excited to have just booked for this (great deal for Under 25's), was wondering if anybody knew anything about how the view from the front row would be, I'm trying not to be distressed by the fact that, barring myself, it seems to be almost entirely avoided.
Wow, what an incredible evening of theatre. Every aspect of Hedda Gabler is top class. Sets, lighting and costumes are stunning and there isn't s weak link in the cast, led by the outstanding Sheridan Smith who delivers a devastating performance. She is fast becoming one of our great stage actresses. This production is theatre at its very best.
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joined:5/28/04
Posted: 9/7/12 at 02:40am