Despite the fact that the play is over 125 years old, “A doll’s House” or “Putaliko Ghar” as it is called in Nepali, has a lot of relevance in today’s Nepal, Ambassador Gislesen noted in his opening speech. Nepal’s women and girls are still facing widespread discrimination on many levels in Nepal today. And the many women presented at the theatre could clearly relate to Nora’s struggles.
The theatre was filled with people joining the Ambassador and his wife in celebrating the 200 shows. The play is directed by Sunil Pokherel, who also had to step in as Helmer because the actor fell ill. Nora was strongly portrayed by Nisha Sharma Pokharel. Dr Rana (Dr. Rank), Lina (Miss Linde) and Kedar (Krostad) played by Rajkumar Pudashaini, Aruna Karki and Basant Bhatta respectivly, also gave very strong performances. The play which goes on for almost two hours with no breaks had the audience mesmerized for the whole time. They laughed and applauded, and the silences when Nora decides to leave was a clear signed the audience was really feeling it.
Photo: GurukulBefore the play began, the Ambassador handed out tokens of honour to the actors, directors and others who contributed to the play’s success. It has been performed in Norway, Denmark, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan showing the truly global world of Ibsen.
Gurekul Aarohan theatre group was established in 1982, and has been using theatre to bring social issues and problems to the agenda, including women’s right, child labour, Kumari’s life and bonded labour. Using theatre as a stage for raising these issues is certainly something Ibsen would appreciate, and Nora and “A Doll’s House” make a relevant and interesting contribution to Aarohan’s social theatre.