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Henrik Ibsen Headshot

Henrik Ibsen

Date of Death: May 23, 1906 (78)

Birth Place: Skien, NORWAY

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BIO

Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright who is often referred to as the father of modern drama. Born in 1828 in Skien, Norway, Ibsen showed an early interest in theater and began writing plays as a young man. His early works were largely ignored, but in the 1870s, he began to gain international recognition for his plays, which challenged the conventions of the day.
Ibsen's most famous work is probably "A Doll's House," which was first performed in 1879. The play caused a scandal at the time because of its portrayal of a woman who leaves her husband and children in order to find herself. The play was seen as a feminist manifesto and was hugely influential in the women's rights movement. Today, it is still considered a masterpiece of modern drama.
Ibsen's other major works include "Ghosts," "An Enemy of the People," and "Hedda Gabler." These plays are known for their realistic portrayal of human relationships and their exploration of themes such as morality, truth, and freedom. Ibsen's plays were often controversial and were sometimes banned, but they were also hugely popular and influential.
Ibsen's influence on modern drama cannot be overstated. His realistic portrayal of human relationships and his exploration of complex themes paved the way for modern playwrights such as Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. In addition, his use of symbolism and metaphor influenced the work of writers such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett.
Ibsen continued to write plays throughout his life, but his later works are generally considered to be less successful than his earlier ones. He died in 1906, leaving behind a legacy that has had a profound impact on the world of theater and beyond.
Overall, Henrik Ibsen was a groundbreaking playwright who revolutionized the world of theater with his realistic portrayals of human relationships and his exploration of complex themes. His influence can still be seen in modern drama and literature, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of writers and artists.

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Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 2006 - Best Revival

Henrik IbsenHedda Gabler

Olivier Awards - 1991 - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy

Henrik IbsenThe Wild Duck

Videos

News


CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, EUREKA DAY, and More Join Gamm Theatre 2025-26 Subscription Season
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2025

The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) has announced its 2025-2026 season packed with reimagined classics and bold contemporary stories that will touch audiences with both humor and heartbreak.
EUREKA DAY And More Set for TimeLine Theatre Company 2025-26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 23, 2025

TimeLine Theatre Company has announced a landmark 29th season—culminating in a long-awaited inaugural production in its new theatre currently under construction at 5035 N. Broadway in Uptown.
Review: A DOLL’S HOUSE 2 at Pasadena Playhouse
by Harker Jones - May 22, 2025

Elizabeth Reaser gives a career-defining performance under the creative direction of Jennifer Chang in this utterly delightful triumph at the Pasadena Playhouse
DEATH BECOMES HER & CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Lead Dorian Theater Award Nominations
by Joshua Wright - May 14, 2025

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has revealed the nominations for its third annual Dorian Theater Awards, honoring outstanding achievements across Broadway and Off-Broadway during the 2024-2025 season. Modeled after the group’s acclaimed Dorian Awards for film and television, the theater honors recognize both mainstream productions and those with LGBTQ+ themes or creators.
Which Shows Have Been Revived the Most in the 21st Century?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 11, 2025

Three of this season’s plays and two of this season’s musicals are already getting revived for the second or third time this century! Twenty-five years into the 21st century and Broadway has already seen multiple revivals of Glengarry Glen Ross, Our Town, Romeo and Juliet, Gypsy, and Sunset Boulevard. 
Alicia Vikander and Andrew Lincoln Will Lead THE LADY FROM THE SEA at The Bridge
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2025

London Theatre Company has announced a new production of The Lady from the Sea written and directed by Simon Stone after Henrik Ibsen, opening at The Bridge in September. Alicia Vikander will play Ellida and Andrew Lincoln will play Edward.
2025 Lucille Lortel Awards- Full Winners List
by Nicole Rosky - May 4, 2025

The 40th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway – are being presented tonight, Sunday, May 4, 2025, at NYU Skirball. Check out live updates from the ceremony here!
Review: A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 starring Bianca Amato and Zane Meas is brilliant
by Faeron Wheeler - May 1, 2025

That's right, there's a part 2! And it is excellent. Written by American playwright and author Lucas Hnath and debuting in 2017, A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 is quite literally the story of what happens after the end of Henrik Ibsen's classic. I want to say a big thank you to The Quickening Theatre Company for bringing this production to South Africa because I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Hudson Classical Theatre Company Reveals Summer Season Lineup
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2025

Hudson Classical Theater Company will launche their 22nd season of outdoor classical performances with their first outdoor production of William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.”
Review: CORKTOWN '39 at Rogue Machine At The Matrix Theatre
by Amanda Callas - Apr 28, 2025

Corktown ’39 is a new play that feels like a classic, the kind of intelligent, thought-provoking drama that you can imagine a playwright like Aaron Sorkin or Henrik Ibsen might have written.
A DOLL'S HOUSE to be Presented at The Forst Inn Arts Collective
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 25, 2025

The Forst Inn Arts Collective will present Amy Herzog's modern adaptation of the classic drama by Henrik Ibsen, A Doll's House at The Forst Inn in Tisch Mills. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
THROUGH IT ALL TOGTHER World Premiere Set for Leeds Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2025

Leeds Playhouse has announced a ‘Premiership' line up for the world premiere of Leeds playwright Chris O'Connor's Through it All Together, a love letter to Marcelo Bielsa.
Photos: First-Look Photos of A DOLL'S HOUSE at Inspired Acting Company
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 24, 2025

The Inspired Acting Company has released first-look photos from their new production of the Tony Award-winning revival of Henrik Ibsen’s A DOLL’S HOUSE. Take a look at them here!
National Theatre Welcomes New Artistic Associates Miranda Cromwell, Dr Sophie Duncan, Clint Dyer, and Lynn Nottage
by Stephi Wild - Apr 24, 2025

The National Theatre has announced that Director and Choreographer Miranda Cromwell; author, academic, and dramaturg Dr Sophie Duncan; and Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage have been appointed as Artistic Associates.
Nelsito Gomez’s IN THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE Makes World Premiere
by Oliver Oliveros - Apr 24, 2025

Cast PH (Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre) and Mad Child Productions are co-producing young actor-director Nelsito Gomez’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s 'An Enemy of the People.'
2025 Drama League Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 22, 2025

The Drama League announced the 2025 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Play, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. We have the full list of nominees here!
ACT Contemporary Theatre & Seattle Shakespeare Company Announce 2025/26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 17, 2025

Seattle's ACT Contemporary Theatre and Seattle Shakespeare Company are proud to announce their first annual joint season, showcasing five works representing this unique moment in their new company's history: a new beginning. In January 2025, ACT Contemporary Theatre and Seattle Shakespeare Company announced their historic merger effective July 1, 2025.
Review Roundup: GHOSTS, starring Victoria Smurfit and Callum Scott Howells
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Apr 17, 2025

Gary Owen’s new play, a contemporary reimagining of Ibsen’s classic, is directed by Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan, reuniting the team behind the critically acclaimed Iphigenia in Splott, Romeo and Julie and Killology.
Video: FLOYD COLLINS Original Broadway Cast Recording To Be Released This July
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 17, 2025

FLOYD COLLINS star Jeremy Jordan surprised the audience at Lincoln Center Theater’s Vivian Beaumont Theater tonight following the performance, announcing exclusively from the stage that the highly anticipated musical will release an Original Broadway Cast Recording.  
Photos: GHOSTS Now Open at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 14, 2025

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has released production images for their upcoming production of Ghosts, which runs at the venue until 10 May 2025. Take a look at them here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Henrik Ibsen written?

Henrik Ibsen has written 28 shows including Pillars of Society (Playwright), Ghosts (Playwright), John Gabriel Borkman (Playwright), When We Dead Awake (Playwright), Love's Comedy (Playwright), Brand (Playwright), Little Eyolf (Playwright), The Lady from the Sea (Playwright), Peer Gynt (Playwright), An Enemy of the People (Playwright), The Wild Duck (Playwright), The Master Builder (Playwright), The Vikings (Playwright), Rosmersholm (Playwright), A Doll's House (Playwright), Peer Gynt (Playwright), John Gabriel Borkman (Playwright), Little Eyolf (Playwright), Hedda Gabler (Playwright), Peer Gynt I (Playwright), Peer Gynt II (Playwright), An Enemy of the People (Playwright), Brand (Playwright), A Doll's House (Playwright), Hedda Gabler (Playwright), transFigures (Text), Hedda Gabler (Playwright), A Doll's House (Original Playwright).

What awards has Henrik Ibsen been nominated for?

Henrik Ibsen has been nominated for several awards. He was nominated for Best Revival at the Olivier Awards for his play "Hedda Gabler" and also for Best Revival of a Play or Comedy at the Olivier Awards for "The Wild Duck". These nominations recognize the outstanding productions of Ibsen's works in the theater industry.

What awards has Henrik Ibsen won?

Henrik Ibsen has won the Best Revival award at the Olivier Awards for his play "Hedda Gabler".

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