The Lady from the Sea (PL)

The American author and playwright Susan Sontag has adapted the text, Giorgio Armani has designed the costumes, and Robert Wilson directs. The Sontag/Wilson version of The Lady from the Sea was first staged in Italy in 1998, and has since been staged by several different ensembles around the world. This guest production for the Ibsen Festival main stage comes courtesy of the greatly acclaimed Teatr Dramatyczny in Warsaw, where it was received rapturously last year. Anna Dereszowska, one of the truly major names among young Polish actors, plays Ellida Wangel.

From Newsweek’s review of The Lady from the Sea: “It’s a miracle. The Lady from the Sea makes us believe in the beauty of art. Actors’ shadows, captured by light, move slowly across an empty, slanted floor, while in the background Wilson – the genius of theatre lighting – paints his fantasies. Ibsen’s plot, the battle against the ghosts of the past, contributes towards an extremely beautiful theatrical form that invites comtemplation.”

Robert Wilson became a well-known name among Norwegian theatregoers with his production of Peer Gynt at the Norwegian Theatre last year. The American director and multi-format artist is lauded around the world for his original, visually striking productions.

By Susan Sontag based on The Lady from the Sea by Henrik Ibsen. Direction, concept and scenography: Robert Wilson. Costume design: Giorgio Armani. Music: Michael Galasso. Lighting design: A.J. Weissbard and Robert Wilson. Sound design: Peter Cerone. Choreography: Marianna Kavallieratos. Translation: Jarosław Anders.

The Lady from the Sea is a co-production between Teatr Dramatyczny and Change Performing Arts, Milan, and premiered in Warsaw on the 28th of October 2005.