Game changers: Henrik Ibsen

On return to his native Norway, Ibsen began writing and producing plays that challenged the norm of how plays were written, the themes and subject matter explored, and how social issues could be addressed in theatre productions.

Born in 1828, Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright and theatre director. He is often referred to as ‘the father of realism’ in theatre. 

Having written a broad catalogue of work over a 50-year period, some of Ibsen’s most notable plays include A Doll’s House (1879), Ghosts (1881), and Hedda Gabler (1890).

While Ibsen wrote his fist play at the age of 22, it was published under his pseudonym, “Brynjolf Bjarme”, and never performed. A second play he wrote in the same year was staged, but was unsuccessful. Ibsen then spent the following years employed at Det norske Theater in Bergen, where he was involved in the production of more than 145 plays.

Ibsen married in 1858 who gave birth to their only child the following year. Living in difficult financial circumstances, Ibsen became disenchanted with life in Norway. In 1864, Ibsen left Norway and moved to Italy where he stayed for the next 27 years.

On return to his native Norway, Ibsen began writing and producing plays that challenged the norm of how plays were written, the themes and subject matter explored, and how social issues could be addressed in theatre productions.  It was during this time he produced his most notable work.

Prior to Ibsen’s work that challenged the norm, theatre was still seen as entertainment rather than an art form that could mimic real life. In fact, many of the characters and themes of Ibsen’s work were based on friends or family and events in their lives. It was this reflection of real life in drama for the first time that earned Ibsen the title of ‘the father of realism’ in theatre.

Source:
Performer Stuff
Visit Oslo
Wikipedia

Image courtesy of the NewStatesman.

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