Hedda Gabler begins previews at the Stratford Festival

Stratford, ON… Henrik Ibsen’s sensation Hedda Gabler comes to the Tom Patterson Theatre today. Directed by Molly Atkinson, this show brings a complex portrait of female identity and independence, while gifting us with one of theatre’s great tragic characters.

In this adaptation by Patrick Marber, the honeymoon is over, and Hedda Gabler is already bored with her husband and the respectable life he represents. When an old rival arrives on the scene, Hedda seizes the chance to challenge what society would have her accept as “happiness,” instead asserting her powerful will and wreaking havoc on everyone in her reach.

The creative team includes Set and Costume Designer Lorenzo Savoini, Lighting Designer Kaileigh Krysztofiak, and Composer and Sound Designer Mishelle Cuttler.

“Hedda is not interested in living the life a woman is expected to live. She has questionable morals and romantic ideals,” says Atkinson. “She is brave and a coward. She wants to know all of your secrets and wants to punish you for telling her.”

In the title role, Sara Topham makes a grand return to the Festival, leading a cast featuring  Brad Hodder as Lovborg, Tom McCamus as Judge Brack, Gordon S. Miller as Tesman, Bola Aiyeola as Juliana, Joella Crichton as Mrs. Elvsted, Allison Edwards-Crewe, Jordin Hall, Kim Horsman as Bertha, Josue Laboucane, Jennifer Rider-Shaw and Tyrone Savage.

Hedda Gabler officially opens on May 30 and runs until September 28 at the Tom Patterson Theatre. Tickets are available at stratfordfestival.ca or by calling 1.800.567.1600.

The 2024 season also features Twelfth Night, Something Rotten!, Romeo and Juliet, London Assurance, La Cage aux Folles, Wendy and Peter Pan, Salesman in China, Cymbeline, The Diviners, The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?  and Get That Hope. For more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca.

The 2024 season is generously supported by Ophelia Lazaridis.

Proud 2024 Season Partners: BMO Financial Group and RBC.

Support for the 2024 season of the Tom Patterson Theatre is generously provided by BMO.

Production support is generously provided by M. Fainer and by three generations of the Schubert Family.

CAST (in alphabetical order)         

Bola Aiyeola                           Juliana
Joella Crichton                        Mrs. Elvsted
Allison Edwards-Crewe         Understudy
Jordin Hall                              Understudy
Brad Hodder                           Lovborg
Kim Horsman                         Bertha
Josue Laboucane                     Understudy
Tom McCamus                       Judge Brack
Gordon S. Miller                    Tesman
Jennifer Rider-Shaw               Understudy
Tyrone Savage                        Understudy
Sara Topham                          Hedda

ARTISTIC CREDITS

Director                                                           Molly Atkinson
Set and Costume Designer                             Lorenzo Savoini
Lighting Designer                                           Kaileigh Krysztofiak
Composer and Sound Designer                      Mishelle Cuttler
Fight Director                                                 Anita Nittoly

Assistant Set and Costume Designer              Rachel Smyth
Assistant Lighting Designer                           Simran Kapoor

Associate Fight Director                                 David Chinchilla

Stage Manager                                                Maxwell T. Wilson
Assistant Stage Manager                                Lily Cardiff
Assistant Stage Manager                                Elizabeth McDermott
Apprentice Stage Manager                             Brianna Unger
Production Stage Manager                             Meghan Callan
Production Assistant                                       Abby Stevenson

Technical Director                                          Greg Dougherty