Australian TV Plays: Hedda Gabbler (11 Jan 1961)

More Ibsen from the ABC.

Premise

Hedda Gabler pursues the destruction of a former lover.

Cast

June Brunell as Hedda
Richard Davies as George Tesman
Edward Howel as Brack
Wynn Roberts as Eilert Lovborg
Dorothy Bradley as Bertha
Moira Carleton as Julia Tesman
Pat Connolly as Thea Elvsted

Original play

Ibsen's classic was first performed in 1891. He is said to have written it after reading about a woman who killed herself through sheer boredom.

Other adaptations

It was adapted by the BBC for TV in 1962 (with Ingrid Bergman).

It was adapated for Canadian TV in 1960 and in 1955.

ITV adapted it in 1957. It was adapted for US TV in 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954 (with Tallulah Bankhead).

Production

It was shot in Melbourne. Richard Lane did the adaptation. William Sterling directed.

Brunell's casting was announced in November 1960. They wanted Dinah Shearing (see below).

Wendy Pomroy, a Melbourne pianist, recorded the music used in the background - by Rachmaninoff.

Reception

The Age said the production "had excellent sets and dressing, fine technical presentation and the assistance of a strong cast"but felt Brunell "interpreted Hedda in too 'genteel' a fashion."

The critic for the Sydney Morning Herald wrote that the play suffered from "adequate rather than generous acting" except for June Brunell in the lead, who was praised. The Age TV critic felt Brunell was "too genteel" in the lead but thought the production had "excellent sets and dressing".

Richard Lane, who did the adaptation, said that Edward Howell as "chilling" as Brack, "it was a character that suited him perfectly."

Brunell left to go overseas in March. The Age called her "TV's most competent actress".