Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents Richard Eyre‘s adaptation of Ghosts, written by Henrik Ibsen. The play is directed by Bart DeLorenzo. The setting is somewhere in Norway in 1882. 

Widow Helene Alving (Pamela J. Gray) is about to face additional challenges in her life. Once her son Oswald Alving (Alex Barlas) is back from Paris, he starts having feelings for the house maid, Regina Engstrand (Viva Hassis Gentes). Regina, however, has her own challenges. Her father, Jacob Engstrand (J.Stephen Brantley [sic]), is trying to convince her to come live with him when he opens up a hostel for seamen. In reality, he implies that this place would be a brothel. Regina dislikes the idea to live with Jacob, preferring to dream of a life with Oswald in Paris—even learning a few words and phrases in French.

As Reverend Manders (Barry Del Sherman) comes to visit Helene, a few things are revealed. Manders finds some of the books Helene has been reading. Some are about systems of oppression and others are about women’s rights. This concerns Manders as they live in a conservative community in the countryside. There is also the fact that Helene once run to Manders to tell him she was in love with him, willing to leave her husband behind. Manders rejected her and she went back to her husband. Helene then sent Oswald to Paris and he became a painter.

After her husband passed away, Helene set up an orphanage in his memory. Jacob works as a carpenter and Manders handles the legal matters of the institution. Manders suggests Helene not to insure the orphanage as that would imply her lack of faith in God’s protection. Later, the orphanage catches fire and burns down.

The character’s dynamic relationships and motivations are influenced by events that occurred years earlier. Helene’s feelings for Manders, Helene’s husband dissolute lifestyle, and the relationship between Jacob and her wife Johanna—this character is only referenced and never seen in the play—all happen years ago. 

Ibsen created strong female characters in his plays. Much like Nora in A Doll’s House and Hedda in Hedda Gabler, Helene in Ghosts is also a troubled woman who has to figure out how to survive the humiliation of her husband’s infidelities with other women and either leave or stay with him to meet the community standards as an obedient housewife and a dedicated mother.     

Regina is one of the most intriguing characters in this play. Regina is seen flirting with Manders when he arrives to visit Helene. It is also implied that Jacob molested Regina earlier in her life. Regina flirting with Manders could be a result of her abuse by Jacob, a way to test Manders’ integrity as a man of God, or a way for her to open up a possibility if everything else fails for her.  

Talking to Manders, Helene admits that she sent Oswald to Paris to protect him from the negative influence of his father and that she built the orphanage as a screen to hide the licentious life of her husband. Helene also discloses Oswald and Regina who they really are and the impossibility of their relationship. The devastating fate of Oswald is also revealed and both Helen and Regina find themselves at a crossroad, forced to make difficult decisions that will define their lives forever. When the orphanage was destroyed by the fire, it was also a symbol that the truth was finally exposed and the ghosts of the past were coming back to haunt them all.

Ghosts is about the conservatism of the late 1800s, the traditional roles of women, the discussion of venereal diseases, prostitution, incest, and euthanasia, highly controversial issues at the time Ghosts was published. In fact, the play was banned in Europe for several years and thrashed merciless by the critics when it was finally allowed to be staged in theaters.

As for DeLorenzo’s production, the choice of cast is an excellent opportunity to pair up experienced thespians with upcoming ones. Pamela J. Gray and Barry Del Sherman offer exceptional performance, carrying most of the weight of the material. J.Stephen Brantley delivers a terrific performance as an unnerving and opportunistic Jacob. Viva Hassis Gentes and new comer Alex Barlas are two fine young actors giving their performances the intensity and vulnerability necessary to portray Ibsen’s complex characters.

The lighting (Christine Ferriter, lighting designer) is a phenomenal element that helps the director tell the story. Both the lighting and sound effects/music (John Zalewski, sound designer) add a dramatic effect to the transitions and pivotal scenes and create a dark and Gothic ambiance to the set (Frederica Nascimento, scenic designer).

Ghosts is an intense experience; the lighting, the music, the scenic design, and the powerful performances create a latent sense of tragedy, featuring topics that are still controversial and relevant in today’s society.            

Ghosts

Written by Henrik Ibsen. Adapted to the stage by British director Richard Eyre. Directed by Bart DeLorenzo. Starring: Alex Barlas, J.Stephen Brantley [sic], Barry Del Sherman, Viva Hassis Gentes, and Pamela J. Gray. Presented by Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. Ron Sossi, Artistic Director. 

Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025

Performances: September 10 – October 23
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 7, Oct. 14* and Oct. 21 (dark Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30)
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 10 (Opening Night), Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 8, Oct. 15, Oct. 22
Sundays at 4 p.m.: Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9**, Oct. 16, Oct. 23 (dark Sept. 11)
Mondays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 19**, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17 (dark Sept. 12)
^*Wine Nights on Friday, Sept. 9 and Friday, Oct. 14: enjoy complimentary wine and snacks and after the show.
**Post-performance discussions with the artists on Monday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 9

Tickets: www.OdysseyTheatre.com