When Illusions Fall Apart
Alan Lucien Øyen’s take on Ibsen’s shattering family drama.
Is the truth always worth the price?
In Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck, we meet the Ekdal family, whose lives are shaped by illusion and secrecy. Hidden away in the family attic lies a darkness born of past transgressions, alongside a wounded wild duck with a broken wing.
When family friend Gregers Werle returns with a burning desire to reveal the truth, the façade begins to crack. Young Hedvig, who is gradually losing her sight, sees the betrayals of the adults more clearly than anyone else.
A Life Performed
In his adaptation of Ibsen’s tragicomic family drama from 1884, Alan Lucien Øyen casts a sharp eye on our own age. What happens when the ideal of honesty collides with the human need for protection, hope and self-deception?
“When we catch ourselves in the mirror in the morning, we hold our stomach in. When we smile at each other through the window of social media, it’s a fake and filtered smile. We fictionalize and stage our lives for ourselves and one another—but are we blind to the truth?” (Alan Lucien Øyen)
The production had its world premiere at The Coronet Theatre in London to critical acclaim and is a collaboration between The Coronet Theatre, Det Norske Ibsenkompaniet and Den Nationale Scene.
On Stage 2, audiences will encounter a powerful ensemble of Norwegian actors, including Kåre Conradi in the role of Hjalmar Ekdal.
• This production of The Wild Duck was first performed at The Coronet Theatre in London.
• Please note that the performance contains themes related to suicide, gunshots, and some use of stage smoke.
• Collaboration between The Coronet Theatre, The Norwegian Ibsen Company, and The National Stage, Bergen.
15. October–18. October 2026
Venue: Second Stage
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