Daugavpils Theatre Stages Ibsen's Ghosts in New Production

Daugavpils Theatre in Latvia will present the premiere of a new production of Henrik Ibsen's play Ghosts on 7 November at 6 p.m. It is directed by Norwegian Terje Skunsengs-Naudērs, and it is his first production in Latvia. Ibsen wrote the play in 1881. It examines how social prejudice and double standards can lead to dramatic consequences.

The story

Helene Alving has spent many years hiding her husband's true character in order to protect the family's reputation. Now the past is starting to affect her son's life as well. Helene must decide whether she is ready to reveal the family secrets to him, but it turns out she is not the only one hiding something.

Actress Irina Kešiševa plays Helene Alving. She says the work has made her reflect on the choice between personal happiness and duty. She asks at what point duty and responsibility become an executioner that destroys one's own life and perhaps the lives of others.

Director and team

Skunsengs-Naudērs considers Ghosts one of Ibsen's most powerful plays. In his view, the characters' dialogues hide a huge psychological conflict: they hide behind masks, keep their real thoughts and feelings to themselves, and lie to themselves too.

The director has so far worked mainly in Norwegian theatres, staging both contemporary drama and classics. His most recent productions were made at Teater Vestland (Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman), at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen (Jon Fosse's Someone Is Going to Come) and at Nordland Teater (William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus).

The set designer is Aigars Ozoliņš and the costume designer is Gatis Timofejevs. The cast also includes Vladislavs Vasiļjevs, Mihails Samodahovs, Viktors Jancevičs and Alina Kaļina.

Performance details

The production is in Russian, with Latvian translation in subtitles through the mobile app Teātru titri. After the premiere, performances are planned for 8 November and 6 December at 5 p.m.