Narrated by Michael Meyer, this discussion of the controversial career of playwright, Henrik Ibsen, covers both biographical details of the writer and delineates the four significant stages in his writing through a comprehensive study of the themes and the sociological and political impact of his work and its part in changing the face of live theatre. His characteristic questioning of authority and tradition and demands for debate on issues in wider society through his work is evoked and discussed. As is the powerful turning point in theatre his approach to writing and acting influenced, with discussion of his scripts about ordinary people that turned theatre into a mirror on society and encouraged relational acting instead of grand solo performances in larger than life show pieces that had previously dominated the theatrical scene. Through the program’s commentary, interviews with other writers and academics, through readings of his work, including his letters and diaries, and excerpts from performances of his renowned plays this documentary provides a thorough analysis of the influential work of Henrik Ibsen as well as a contextual insight into the more personal life of this powerful writer.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
316667
Language
English
Subject categories
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Interviews
Archival, Cinemagazines & Newsreels
Archival, Cinemagazines & Newsreels → Archival materials
Archival, Cinemagazines & Newsreels → Interviews
Documentary → Documentary films - Great Britain
Education, Instruction, Teaching & Schools → Literature - Study and teaching
Literature → Literature - Study and teaching
Music & Performing Arts → Acting
Music & Performing Arts → Acting - Technique
Music & Performing Arts → Drama - Themes, motives
Music & Performing Arts → Playwrights
Music & Performing Arts → Playwrights - Biography
Music & Performing Arts → Theater
People → Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906
People → Playwrights - Biography
Television → Television programs
Television → Television programs → Television programs - Great Britain
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)