Hedda review: Tessa Thompson is deliciously devilish in stage adaptation
There have been many interpretations of Henrik Ibsen‘s 19th Century play Hedda Gabler on stage and screen over the years, but writer-director Nia DaCosta manages to find something new and give it a contemporary and queer update in her new take, Hedda.
In this 1950s version, the events take place over one night during a party at the English countryside manor owned by academic George Tesman (Tom Bateman) and his new wife Hedda (Tessa Thompson). He warns Hedda to be on her best behaviour because he needs to impress Professor Greenwood (Finbar Lynch) to secure a professorship. But Hedda can’t resist meddling with her guests when her old flame Eileen (Nina Hoss) arrives at the party, vying for the same academic post.
Hedda, who has always been one of the great dramatic parts for stage actresses, is a deeply unhappy and dissatisfied woman who finds pleasure in toying with people and destroying their lives to get revenge or simply come out on top. She gets a twisted satisfaction in the downfall of others and always seems to be in control and several steps ahead with her cunning plans. I sometimes laughed in shock at how horrible they are to each other. I couldn’t believe some of the things they were saying!
Thompson, adopting an RP British accent, is perfectly devilish as the vindictive, manipulative host, who subtly plays with the puppet strings – and with a smile – so that nobody really knows what she’s done before it’s too late. But she also conveys the sense that her viciousness is a façade and she’s a sad, lonely and vulnerable person underneath.
She is the luminous star of the show and the story revolves around her, but Hoss deserves a mention. Hedda’s former flame is usually a man named Eilert, but this version flips the gender and makes the character a woman named Eileen. She seems in control and restrained at the start of the party but slowly begins to unravel as Hedda sinks her claws into her and her meek guest Thea Clifton (Imogen Poots).
Hedda is darkly funny, entertaining and shocking. Sometimes it’s quite satisfying to watch rich people do horrible things to each other in an opulent stately home!
Originally seen at the London Film Festival. Now streaming on Prime Video