Lights, camera, cruelty!
Nina Segal’s Shooting Hedda Gabler, currently playing at the Seymour Centre, makes its Australian debut in this striking production that blurs the lines between performance and reality.
In the play, a washed-up American actress Hedda (Jennifer Rani), fleeing a destructive past and tabloid scandal, seizes the opportunity to take the lead role in a Norwegian adaptation of Hedda Gabler. Under the watchful eye of director Henrik (James Smithers), emotions, decisions and boundaries are increasingly shaped and controlled. What begins as self-preservation spirals into self-destructive behaviour, as power imbalances and competing interests are exposed. Reality and fiction begin to blur until they become indistinguishable.
Under Monica Sayers‘ direction, the cast deliver nuanced performances that bring their characters’ complexities, contradictions and flaws vividly to life. Each performer delivers exceptional performances, combining intensity and confidence with sharp wit. While the Norwegian accents (courtesy Dialect Coach Patrick Klavins) were questionable and occasionally inconsistent, this did not detract from the remarkable emotions delivered. The dynamic between Rani and Smithers is particularly strong, their tension so palpable it lingered in every shared scene. Moments of vulnerability and psychological unease were handled so carefully and precisely that they did not feel forced, despite their prevalence throughout the production.
The set is sparse, with the stage itself bare with a sunken centre and offset by two rear backrooms that function as shared trailers. As a result, every onstage scene unfolds alongside parallel action in the background, with other characters visible in constant motion behind them. This at times made it difficult to follow as it pulled focus from the central action, but also offered glimpses into what each character did offstage, providing a window into their persona and behaviour.
Sayers positively brings Segal’s vision to life, striking a careful balance between tension, humour and anguish. Although the production boasts two hours, the pacing remains assured and purposeful, consistently engaging the audience and keeping them on the edge of their seats. Ultimately, Shooting Hedda Gabler is an excellent production that leaves a lasting impression.
