A Doll House
The first English production starred Janet Achurch in the role of Nora in 1893. The most acclaimed American stage production of the play was in 1902 starring Minnie Maddern Fiske. A Doll House has been made into numerous movies, including two versions released in 1973 - one directed by Joseph Losey starring Jane Fonda, David Warner and Trevor Howard, which went directly to U.S. television, and one directed by Patrick Garland which was released to theatres and starred Claire Bloom, Anthony Hopkins, and Ralph Richardson. {text:bookmark-start} {text:bookmark-end} Plot The play begins on Christmas Eve. Nora Helmer lives with her husband Torvald and their three children. Nora's relationship with her husband is one of frivolity and being patronized. Torvald refers to her with names like "little skylark" and "squirrel". Christine Linde, a widow, is a friend of Nora who needs a job. Nora promises to ask Torvald to give Christine a position at the bank. Nora confides to Christine that she once secretly borrowed money to save Torvald's life when he was very ill, but she has not told him in order to protect his pride. Krogstad, who lent Nora the money, is also an employee of Torvald but on the verge of losing his position. He threatens to reveal that Nora forged her father's signature to obtain her loan, unless she convinces her husband to keep Krogstad employed. Nora tries twice but fails. Dr. Rank, a family friend, flirts with Nora, before revealing that he has a month to live and that he has been secretly in love with her. After being fired by Torvald, Krogstad confronts Nora declaring he no longer cares about the remaining balance of her loan but will preserve the bond to blackmail Torvald. Krogstad informs Nora that he has a letter detailing her crime and puts it in Torvald's letterbox, which is locked. Nora tells Christine of her predicament. Christine says she was once Krogstad's lover and promises she will convince him to relent. Torvald tries to check his...
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