Rosmersholm (NHB Classic Plays) E-Book

Henrik Ibsen

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

A portrait of idealism and democracy floundering in a society of conservatism and opportunism, considered by many to be Ibsen's dramatic masterpiece. Johannes Rosmer has resigned as parish priest following the suicide of his wife. But his increasingly liberal ideas make him an object of suspicion to the local worthies, who also disapprove of the presence in his house of a much younger woman, Rebecca West, formerly his wife's companion. As their relationship deepens and their isolation builds, the increasing moral pressures they face force them inexorably towards their fate... 'A masterpiece of psychological drama in an unpoetic but accessible, modern version by Mike Poulton that never succumbs to the temptations of melodrama... none of the solemn mustiness still afflicting Ibsen revivals' London Evening Standard 'fascinating and complex' The Times

Leseprobe

Henrik Ibsen

ROSMERSHOLM

A new version by Mike Poulton

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Title Page

Original Production

Dedication

Characters

Rosmersholm

About the Authors

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

This version of Rosmersholm was first performed at the Almeida Theatre, London, on 15 May 2008, with the following cast:

JOHANNES ROSMER

Paul Hilton

REBECCA WEST

Helen McCrory

DOCTOR KROLL

Malcolm Sinclair

ULRIK BRENDEL

Paul Moriarty

PEDER MORTENSGAARD

Peter Sullivan

MRS HELSETH

Veronica Quilligan

Director     Anthony Page

Set Designer     Hildegard Bechtler

Costume Designer     Amy Roberts

Lighting Designer     Peter Mumford

Sound Designer     Gareth Fry

For Paul Higginswho piloted us all from Finmark

M. P.

Characters

JOHANNES ROSMER, a member of the nobility and a former pastor

REBECCA WEST, formerly companion to Rosmer’s late wife

DOCTOR KROLL, Rosmer’s brother-in-law; head of a college

ULRIK BRENDEL, political philosopher, Rosmer’s former tutor

PEDER MORTENSGAARD, political agitator, editor of The Morning Sun – a Radical journal

MRS HELSETH, housekeeper at Rosmersholm

Also, servants, etc.

Rosmersholm is an aristocratic household – centre of a large estate – a short distance from the centre of town. It was once the hub of political influence and activity in the district. For several generations, the Rosmers have provided both the district and the country with leaders in the fields of politics, religion, the army and the navy.

ACT ONE

Music. Summer evening, 1886. On an estate near the sea, a little way out of a large town. Spacious, comfortable sitting room in the house of a very rich man. Flowers. A stove. Vases of birch twigs and wild flowers. Folding doors open onto the hall – these are open. Other doors. French windows – open, through which an impressive avenue of trees can be seen. A table with flowers and plants near the window. Many portraits of military commanders, clergy, court officials, the earliest dating back to the 1630s. Recent portraits of ROSMER’s father – a General – and ROSMER’s recently deceased wife. REBECCA WEST is sitting, crocheting a large white woollen shawl which is almost finished. Occasionally she looks out of the window as if expecting an arrival. MRS HELSETH, the housekeeper, enters.

MRS HELSETH. Shall I tell them to start laying the table?

REBECCA. Yes – He’ll be back any moment.

MRS HELSETH. Aren’t you sitting in a draught over there?

REBECCA. Perhaps you’d better shut the window.

MRS HELSETH (crossing to the window). This is the Pastor now –

REBECCA (eagerly). Where?

She gets up.

MRS HELSETH. Over there by –

REBECCA. Come away from the window.

MRS HELSETH moves back.

He’ll think we’re –

MRS HELSETH. He’s coming down the path by the mill race. That’s a good sign, isn’t it?

REBECCA. He’s started using the path again. I noticed that a couple of days ago. (Peeping out from behind the curtains.) The question is –

MRS HELSETH. Will he cross by the footbridge? –

REBECCA. Or go the long way round? Well, we’ll soon see. (Watching him.) Come on! (Pause.) No. He’s turning back… (Leaving the window.) Shame. I was hoping…

She comes away from the window.

MRS HELSETH. The long way. You really can’t blame him. After all that’s…

REBECCA. Here at Rosmersholm they don’t easily let go of their dead.

MRS HELSETH. It’s the other way round, if you ask me.

REBECCA. Oh?

MRS HELSETH. It’s the dead that won’t let go.

REBECCA. What do you mean?

MRS HELSETH. Won’t let go of the ones they leave behind.

REBECCA. You can’t believe that?

MRS HELSETH. It’s what folk say… The White Horse of Rosmersholm –

REBECCA. Ah, the famous White Horse! (Smiles.) Isn’t that just a case of country folk refusing to let go of their much-loved superstitions? Tell me about it –

MRS HELSETH. I’d rather not be laughed at. Since you’ve set your mind against such things –

REBECCA. Have you ever seen it?

MRS HELSETH. If I said yes – you see! You’re laughing at me, and – look! He’s crossing by the bridge after all.

REBECCA (pleased). Is he? (Looks.) That’s not the Pastor. It’s his brother-in-law.

MRS HELSETH. Oh yes. It’s Dr Kroll.

REBECCA. Well, that’s a pleasant surprise. I though we’d… [seen the last of him.]

MRS HELSETH. Straight over the bridge. Even though it was his own sister… I’d better –

REBECCA. What are we having for dinner? Something he likes, I hope. Let’s try and make him feel especially welcome, Mrs Helseth. See what you can do.

She waves and smiles at DOCTOR KROLL through the window.

MRS HELSETH. Leave it to me.

MRS HELSETH exits. REBECCA goes into the entrance hall to greet KROLL.

REBECCA. Dr Kroll – good to see you! We were beginning to think you’d forgotten the way – Come in! Come in!

KROLL (in the hall; puts down his stick). I hope I’m not intruding.

REBECCA. Intruding! Shame on you!

KROLL (comes in). Very kind. As always… Is Rosmer in?

REBECCA. Gone for a walk – seems to be an unusually long one this evening. We’ve been expecting him back for some time.

KROLL. Well, well – you’ve made quite a difference to the old place – all these flowers –

REBECCA. Rosmer’s very fond of flowers.

KROLL. And so are you, I imagine.

REBECCA. Such a pleasant fragrance! It’s a relief to be able to have them in the house again.

KROLL. Yes, it must be. (Sadly.) My sister always found the scent of fresh flowers overpowering.

REBECCA. Poor Beata. Their bright colours used to upset her too.

KROLL. All in the past now. (A lighter tone.) So how have you been managing out here?

REBECCA. Oh, one day’s much like the next. And yourself? Is Mrs Kroll –

KROLL. Don’t ask, Miss West, don’t ask! Think yourselves lucky that the irritations of family life… These days my wife – and the children! – Well, I don’t mind telling you, there are times…

Pause.

REBECCA (teasing). I was beginning to think you’ve been avoiding us? You’ve had the whole of the summer holiday –

KROLL. I don’t like to impose myself –

REBECCA. Nonsense! We’d have loved to have seen you –

KROLL. So much to do! And I’ve been away –

REBECCA. Oh yes – we heard about the election campaign –

KROLL. Who’d have thought I’d turn politician? At my time of life! Ha!

REBECCA (smiling). Actually, I can see you as a –

KROLL. – Always taken an interest, as you know. But after so humiliating a defeat… During the election – well! – some of the things that found their way into print! I don’t suppose you saw any of it?

REBECCA. Of course I did –

KROLL. Don’t think I condemn you for reading the Radical press, Miss West – no – in your case –

REBECCA. – I like to keep abreast of the times –

KROLL. It’s as well to know what’s in the mind of the enemy. Though politics can be of little interest to a woman. And then I’m afraid the face of government has grown a deal uglier over the years. No longer the pastime of a gentleman. You read, then, what our friends on the far left have been saying about me?

REBECCA. You’ve been giving as good as you get.

KROLL (pleased). Haven’t I just! Yes, I’ve given more than one mob orator a bloody nose – metaphorically speaking. If it’s a fight they’re looking for they know they’ll find me ready – gloves off. (Breaks off.) But this evening we’ll draw a veil over the whole wretched business –

REBECCA. Yes, do let’s!

KROLL. Rosmersholm must seem very strange now you’re on your own? My poor sister –

REBECCA. Everything’s changed… in so many ways. We miss Beata. The house seems… well, empty. But life must go on, Dr Kroll.

KROLL. Are you staying on? For the time being, I mean?

REBECCA. Who knows! I’ve grown used to being here. I’m beginning to regard myself as part of the furniture.