John Gabriel Borkman - Donmar 2007

Genre: Drama
Opened 20 Feb 2007
Written: by Henrik Ibsen, in a new version by David Eldridget
Directed: Michael Grandage
Produced: Donmar Warehouse
Cast: Ian McDiarmid (John Gabriel Borkman), Penelope Wilton (Ella Rentheim), Emma Beattie (Malene), David Burke (Vilhelm Foldal), Lolita Chakrabarti (Fanny Wilton), Lisa Diveney (Frida Foldhal), Deborah Findlay (Gunhild Borkman), Rafe Spall (Erhart Borkman)
Synopsis: Disgraced and destitute following a fraud scandal and imprisonment, John Gabriel Borkman paces alone in an upstairs room. Downstairs his family are trapped in the claustrophobic atmosphere of a household bound for explosion. A scorching indictment of 19th century capitalism, Ibsen's penultimate play paints a devastating picture of selfish ambition.

What the critics had to say.....
CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "The superb director Michael Grandage gets it right, in a wonderfully acted production of a powerful new translation by David Eldridge that holds the audience enthralled throughout...thrilling, chilling production." NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THYE EVENING STANDARD says, "Anaemic, miscast revival."; ALASTAIR MACAULAY for THE FINANCIAL TIMES says, " Enthrallingly designed by Peter McKintosh, the nearness of the drama makes it newly engrossing...new version of Ibsen's play strikes me as superb." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Grandage's production risks lapsing into romantic melodrama, but it is always pulled back by the sharpness of its observation and the quality of its acting...This is an excellent revival." ALEKS SIERZ for THE STAGE says, "This is an unforgettably atmospheric production of a chilly classic. " BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE fro THE TIMES says, "Taut revival."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
Daily Telegragh
The Times
The Financial Times