Love’s Comedy, Orange Tree, Richmond - review

An Ibsen treasure uncovered with David Antrobus making his debut as a director
LovesComedy_OrangeTreeTheatre_Sarah Winter_credit Robert Day_2
Robert Day
12 December 2012

There’s a vogue at the moment for reviving Ibsen’s more obscure works.Love’s Comedy, from 1862, is arguably the first of his plays in which his mature voice is audible. It’s presented here in a fluent new translation by Don Carleton.

Jaundiced poet Falk lodges in a boarding house in Christiania (today Oslo), sharing his quarters with Lind, a theology student. A provocateur by nature, Falk claims other people’s relationships are all just a matter of convenience. He believes he alone appreciates heroism and understands the essence of love. Falk is infatuated with Swanhild, an intense young woman. But she also attracts the rich, decent and not exactly poetic Guldstad, and Ibsen writes astutely about the conflict that results.

David Antrobus, making his directorial debut, ensures that the production never runs out of steam. Sarah Winter’s Swanhild is the most layered character — a blend of mischief, innocence and independence. Mark Arends is a magnetic Falk, and there’s engaging support from James Joyce as Lind.

But Love’s Comedy will mainly appeal to Ibsen completists. The characters are given to self-important philosophising and long-winded debate; too often these feel tiringly adolescent.

Until December 15 (020 8940 3633, orangetreetheatre.co.uk)

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