Nora (Jessica Learn) and her husband Torvald (Christopher Lambert) stand inside their home, a giant set in Linfield’s Marshall Theatre.
Marcus Larson/News-Register

After coming in from the cold, Nora (Jessica Learn) talks with her two children, Bobby (Jacob Harmon), left, and Ivar (Hunter Svec-Orr), right, about how their day has gone.
Marcus Larson/News-Register

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Linfield College theater students will present “A Doll’s House,” Frank McGuinness’ award-winning adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s drama, Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 5 to 8, and Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 12 to 14.

The play features a cast of eight students and two local children, including 5-year-old Jacob Harmon, son of Debbie and Robert Harmon, and 10-year-old Hunter Svec-Orr, son of Amy Orr and Eric Svec.

Often called the first real feminist play, “A Doll’s House” tells the story of a vibrant young housewife married to an autocratic husband. He has always insisted on doing the thinking for both of them, and she has played along, acting the part of a frivolous, scatter-brained traditional woman.

But in order to save her husband’s life and provide for a convalescence trip, she forges his signature and takes out a loan without his knowledge. She works in secret to raise the money to repay the money.

Rather than being grateful, the husband is incapable of accepting the self-sufficiency she demonstrated. He accuses her of damaging his good name.

Ibsen, a Norwegian playwright, wrote the play in 1879. It features one of the most scandalous climaxes in all of 19th century drama: The wife ends up leaving her husband and children, determined to forge a new identity.

The ending was considered so daring at the time, Ibsen was asked to write an alternative ending for “A Doll’s House” premier in Germany. Later, he called the alternative ending a disgrace to the intent of the play.

In his notes for “A Doll’s House,” the playwright wrote: “a woman cannot be herself in modern society, with laws made by men and with prosecutors and judges who assess female conduct from a male standpoint.”

Janet Gupton, associated professor of theater, is directing the show. Set and lighting are designed by Professor Tyrone Marshall, with costume design by Alethia Moore Del-Monaco and sound design and technical direction by Robert Vaughn.
Also in the cast are freshmen Christopher Forrer and Caitlyn Olson; sophomore Bailey Maxwell; juniors Chris Lambert and Sharon Hagel; and seniors William DeBiccari and Jessica Learn.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Nov. 5-7 and Nov. 12-14 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8. Tickets are $9 general and $7 for students and seniors 62 and older, with a $2 discount opening night.

Tickets can be reserved by calling 503-883-2292 or by sending e-mail to theatre@linfield.edu.

If you go

What: “A Doll’s House,” Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking drama

When: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 5 to 7 and 12 to 14 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8

Where: Linfield College’s Marshall Theatre

How much: $9 general, $7 students and seniors, $2 less on opening night

More information: 503-883-2292