Ellida

Ellida is a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s The Lady of the Sea, performed by WAAPA 3rd Year Acting students, with the creative support of WAAPA Production and Design students, and sensitively and thoughtfully directed by Will O’Mahony.

This 1888 work (nicely adapted) about marriage and freedom, still resonates today and features some excellent roles, especially for women. It is also an ideal vehicle for beautiful imagery and the production team have embraced their freedom with this wonderfully poetic work.

Pia Dewar’s gorgeous floral set is a wonderful blend of fragility, beauty and perhaps even ultimately strength. It is brought to life and transformed throughout by expert use of colour and shadow by Lighting Designer Finn Boylen. Colour is also used beautifully in the era-evocative costuming by Emily Chong - with a cinematic sound design by composer Connor Brown (composition by Darren Cheah also features).

Central character Ellida is beautifully portrayed in an ethereal performance of great depth by Zoë Taylor-Morgan. Feeling very Nordic and looking fragile, this is a very strong portrayal that anchors the show wonderfully. Mitchell Tharle is excellent as Dr Wangel, whose marriage to Ellida keeps her trapped and unhappy - but in Tharle’s capable hands he remains sympathetic and likeable, if flawed - a well measured performance.

Lovely work from Emelia Corlett and Madeline Dona, as Bolette and Hilde, Wangel’s daughters from a previous marriage, who are believable as sisters and who reveal an easy but credible relationship with their stepmother. Bollette’s acceptance of an unwelcome proposal was beautifully portrayed by Emelia Corlett in a very well acted scene with Gulliver McGrath, as former teacher Arnholm.

Sebastian Belmont brought sincerity and likability to the ill-fated Lyngstrand, with Harrison Pearse providing solid support as artist Ballested. 

George Vickers-Willis makes the most of his brief stage time in the catalyst role of the Stranger - a commanding but layered appearance.

Ellida is a faithful but nuanced presentation of Ibsen’s classic story, an aesthetically pleasing and intelligent production.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Stephen Heath