Hedda

It was our love of India which drew us closer together. And of course, films…

London, 1948. The war is over, India is newly independent, and Hedda Gabler has retired: early, elegantly, and with secrets. Once a Hollywood star, now the wife of rising British film director George Tesman, Hedda lives in Chelsea, hiding behind drawn curtains. But the past is beginning to stir.

Her husband is asking questions. An old colleague has written a screenplay that cuts too close to the truth. And there’s a powerful producer in town: and he never takes no for an answer.

Inspired by the story of Anglo-Indian screen legend Merle Oberon, Hedda is a bold new version of Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama about blackmail, secrecy and power.

Tanika Gupta’s recent plays include Tupperware of Ashes (National Theatre), The Empress (RSC) and Lions and Tigers (Shakespeare’s Globe). BAFTA-winning director Hettie Macdonald (Normal People, Howards End) returns to theatre to direct Pearl Chanda (I May Destroy You, War of the Worlds, See How They Run) in the title role.