Rosmersholm

Why You Should Watch Rosmersholm

Henrik Ibsen is considered to be the greatest playwright to follow Shakespeare. He was a Norwegian playwright, poet, and director, who was widely revered as the ‘Father of Realism’. His works such as Hedda Gabler, The Lady from the Sea, Peer Gynt, and The Wild Duck have found readers and audiences across the globe. One of his most popular works, A Doll’s House, is easily recognizable and is also one of the most performed plays in the world. Ibsen has influenced numerous novels and playwrights over the years and was also nominated three years in succession for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Rosmersholm is finally back at West End after more than a decade since it’s first run at the Almeida Theatre with a spectacular cast. It stars Tom Burke who plays John Rosmer and Hayley Atwell who plays Rebecca West. These are a pair of actors who have had extremely long and diverse careers both on stage and on screen and film. Hayley Atwell was a nominee for the Olivier Award for her work in The Pride and A View from the Bridge. Charleson Award-winner Tom Burke is most famous for his work on the BBC series The Musketeer. He is also known for his roles in War & Peace and Strike, and has worked with incredible actors such as Ian McKellen.

The Story

In order to provide company to her depressed friend Beate Rosmer, Rebecca West arrives at Rosmersholm. Beate’s depression, however, only seems to worsen and ultimately causes her to take her life. This shocking incident throws Rebecca’s life out of line. John Rosmer, a pastor and acquaintance of Rebecca, has to rethink his ideologies when all his beliefs are challenged and altered. He is made to question his conservative ideas and friendships when he chooses to support the liberals. A drama that deals with the battle of idealism and conservatism that plays out in the news and in our homes, it explores the struggles in the relationship between John and Rebecca, and their understanding of Rosmer’s passing. Discover what happens next in their journey when new secrets are revealed.

Good for

Lovers of Drama | Fans of Henrik Ibsen

Critics Reviews

It’s not surprising that “Rosmersholm” was one of Freud’s favorite plays. There’s so much roiling under its surface — deep desire, silent guilt — that he even used it to illustrate psychoanalytic theory.
– The New York Times