Prof. Paul Walsh from the Yale School of Drama took part in the 2013 Henrik Ibsen Classic Play International Conference – TNUA, sharing his views on the Norwegian playwright's work and life in a series of talks during the five-day event in May.
The conference featured five major themes: "The Theatrical Life and Times of Henrik Ibsen," "Ibsen and the Drama of Modern Life," 'Ibsen and the Poetry of Modern Life," Doors, Windows and Other Rooms in the Plays of Ibsen," and "Fjords, Valleys and Mountain Trolls."
Prof. Walsh said that it was his first visit to TNUA, and he was impressed by the School of Theatre Arts' summer production of Ibsen's "The Master Builder." The production summed up the School of Theatre Arts' special program for the semester highlighting master playwrights.
Prof. Walsh noted that Norwegian theatre was deeply influenced by Denmark, and there were almost no major Norwegian playwrights except Ibsen at the time.
That means there was no competition for Ibsen in Norway.
Ibsen – an advocate of Norwegian nationalism, playwright and director – was constantly exploring the meaning of the local culture in his plays, and at the same time subvert its traditions and values. In theatre production, Ibsen also had to design the stage settings and props.
For example, in his "Love's Comedy," written in 1862, Ibsen presents a different view on the relationships between marriage, happiness and love. This work sent women at the time starting to reexamine their roles in society.
In his series of talks, Prof. Walsh also discussed many other works by Ibsen, such as "The Burial Mound," A Doll's House," "The League of Youth," "Ghosts," "An Enemy of the People," "Brand," The Lady from the Sea," "Hedda Gabler," and "The Master Builder."