Review of the script 'A Doll's House' by Henrik Ibsen (English language version by Simon Stephens)

For this post I will be reviewing the story of 'A Doll's House' which is a famous play written by Henrik Ibsen. The play is currently being performed at the Young Vic Theatre in London and I went to see this production recently. I thought that it was an incredible performance with emotions illustrated well for the audience and the sympathy portrayed for the main character, Nora, was done excellently. In the programme included the script of the whole play so afterwards I decided to read it again. 'A Doll's House' premiered in 1879 in Copenhagen and is the second in a series of realist plays by Ibsen. It provoked huge controversy with its apparent feminist message. The characters in the story consist of Nora Helmer, Torvald Hemler (Nora's husband), Helene (the maid), Anna (the nanny),  Dr Rank (a friend of the Helmers), Kristine Linde (an old friend of Nora's) and Nils Krogstad (whom which Nora had an acquaintance with, over a serious matter, also a worker for Mr. Helmer). The play takes place in the Helmers' house in a town in Norway in 1878. Nora Helmer has secretly borrowed some money to save her husbands life after he falls ill from working too hard to earn money for the family. Nora took him away to Itlay and he returned healthy and well again. Torvald's perception of his wife is silly and naive calling her his child or referring to her as a animals like birds, "Has my little hamster been spending all of my money again?" At first this seems quite innocent however when it is revealed that Nora did not get the money from her father - as she said she did - she is very worried about Torvald finding out that she borrowed it and what his reaction might be. Krogstad, a current worker for Mr Helmer, picks Nora up on this and threatens to tell Torvald unless she saves his job. It all turns very complicated with a friend of Nora's turns up which Nora receives help from as well as dying Dr Rank admitting he has always loved her. At the end of the play Torvald receives the letter explaining what Nora did and is furious. He calls Nora a dishonest and immoral woman who is unfit to raise their children. He says that from now on their marriage will be only a matter of appearances. But Nora receives a letter from Krogstad saying there is not a worry anymore and that he will not reveal this to anyone else. Torvald's mood suddenly changes and is overjoyed that no-one will find out what his previous 'dishonest' wife had done, however Nora realises something is very wrong. It shows how badly she was being treated and not realising it. It releases unmendable cracks in their marriage and Nora knows that she must do the right thing...

My favourite quote is: "I think I'm a human being before anything else. I don't care what other people say. I don't care what people write in books. I need to think for myself."

I would give the plot of 'A Dolls' House' 5 out of 5 stars as the performance and words of the script are gripping. I would recommend the age of 14 up as it is very deep and meaningful which children may not understand. 

Here is a video to the performance at the Young Vic:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOuFocD10hU

My Book Review of Skulduggery Pleasant

This time I am reviewing Skulduggery Pleasant, a book written by Derek Landy. The book begins with  a girl named Stephanie Edgley attending her Uncles funeral. Stephanie's uncle, called Gordon, is a novelist who leaves his large mansion and the royalties from his best selling books to her. At the reading of the will, a strange man arrives in a long tan coat and hat and scarf who no-one has seen before, and is left only a piece of advice from Gordon. Also at the reading of the will Stephanie's aunt and uncle are there but are very ungrateful for what they receive which was a brooch, a boat and a car. I find that section quite amusing! Because of certain consequences Stephanie decides to spend a night alone in her uncles mansion that is now hers, however she is surprised to be attacked by a strange man demanding for a 'key'. Just as this happens the man from the will reading in the tan coat reveals himself and saves Stephanie from being hurt, doing this by creating a ball of fire in his bare hands and aiming it at the strange gentleman. The mysterious man in the tan coat goes by the name of Skulduggery Pleasant. After aiming the fire ball and shooting him, in all the movement, the disguise of a wig, hat and scarf fall off to reveal that Skulduggery is in fact a structure of bones. Stephanie is intrigued by all of the recent events and as she speaks to Skulduggery she finds out more about his adventures, how he is connected to her late uncle and how he can control elements of the earth: fire, water and air, wanting to join in! Then Skulduggery takes Stephanie on a journey and she finds out much more about what her uncle did for a living. Stephanie delves deep into the inner lives of many individuals.
Can Stephanie (Known later in the book as Valkyrie Cain) and Skulduggery defeat Serpine and stop him from destroying the earth?
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars as I couldn't put it down! When I first was the book I didn't know what to make of it as it looks out of the ordinary however I am glad I read it! At first the story is a little confusing however once you get your head round it you will be hooked. I great read where you cannot wait to find out what happens next!