When we started discussing the play, a number of visual images came up. the director was drawn to images of the painter Miro. Many of his works tie together collections of simple, sometimes childlike shapes to create an overall feeling. There is an openness to his work that seemed appropriate.

We also discussed the idea of seeing the lives of these characters through frames. The traditional approach of realistic walls gave way to the idea of simple frames and period dressing tied together to capture the feeling of place, time and character in much the same way Miro uses simple elements to create an overall effect.

The open structure also allows the audience to see more of the Helmer's world by including areas outside the front door and into the house's other rooms. The choices made the ending of the play not so much about Torvald hearing the door slam, but about Nora slamming it.

© 2001 by Gion DeFrancesco