Simon Stone has built a reputation for taking classic plays and dragging them boldly into the present. His reworking of Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea is no exception. As with his versions of Yerma, Phaedra and Medea, the result is stylish, visually stunning, and full of daring ideas. But it also feels overcrowded, as if too many stories are fighting for space on stage.
Here, Ellida (Alicia Vikander) lives in a luxurious Lake District home with her husband Edward (Andrew Lincoln), a successful neurologist, and his two sharp-tongued daughters. Asa (Gracie Oddie-James) is both hilarious and eccentric, while Hilda (Isobel Akuwudike) veers between teenage bravado and morbid curiosity. Into their world steps Heath (Joe Alwyn), a wealthy but awkward young sculptor facing terminal illness, and Lyle (John Macmillan), Edward’s best friend who also happens to be Ellida’s ex.
The drama really begins when Ellida’s past resurfaces. Years earlier, she made a promise to Finn (Brendan Cowell), an eco-activist recently released from prison. His return forces her to choose between a stable but controlling life with Edward, or the dangerous pull of her old lover.
Stone keeps adding extra layers — from climate change to racial identity, from online culture to family secrets — until the plot feels overstuffed. Yet the show is never dull. Lizzie Clachan’s set is a spectacle in itself: a pristine white box that turns black as the story darkens, with a sudden downpour flooding the stage and even filling a pool in which some of the most intense moments unfold. The technical brilliance is undeniable, even if it sometimes distances us from the emotions.
Performances are strong across the board. Lincoln brings depth to Edward’s controlling charm, while Vikander plays Ellida with restraint, hinting at the storm beneath her calm surface. The younger cast members steal scenes with their humour and boldness, adding energy and unpredictability.
At just over three hours, the evening can feel heavy, especially as the second half slows and new revelations pile up. Still, Stone’s vision is ambitious and thought-provoking, and the production leaves plenty to discuss afterwards. With striking visuals and strong performances, this Lady from the Sea is a memorable — if sometimes overwhelming — night at the theatre.
It runs until 8 November. Tickets: here.
Photos: Johan Persson