Ibsen's The Wild Duck Takes Flight at Shakespeare Theatre Company

Henrik Ibsen's haunting drama The Wild Duck is now captivating audiences at Shakespeare Theatre Company's Michael R. Klein Theatre in a production that critics are calling exceptional, powerful, and achingly human. Directed by Artistic Director Simon Godwin and adapted by David Eldridge, this rarely performed masterwork runs through November 16, proving why Ibsen remains the greatest dramatist after Shakespeare.

The Wild Duck presented by Shakespeare Theatre Company at Michael R. Klein Theatre

When the idealistic Gregers Werle, son of a wealthy businessman, reconnects with his childhood friend Hjalmar Ekdal, he sets off a chain of events with devastating consequences. Determined to expose what he sees as the lies underlying his friend's seemingly content life, Gregers embarks on a misguided crusade for truth at any cost. Meanwhile, young Hedvig Ekdal tries desperately to protect the wounded wild duck she keeps in the family's attic—a fragile creature that becomes the production's haunting central symbol.

This 1884 work blends domestic realism with rich symbolism, asking profound questions about what makes life worth living and whether absolute truth is always worth pursuing. The production runs approximately two hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

The cast has earned universal praise for their emotionally charged performances. Nick Westrate delivers a nuanced portrayal of Hjalmar, capturing the photographer's dreamy nature and comfortable illusions with naturalistic ease. Alexander Hurt brings a fascinating complexity to Gregers, the self-appointed truth-teller whose "chronic righteousness" and rigid idealism make him both compelling and unsettling to watch.

The women in the production provide grounded strength amidst the chaos. Melanie Field shines as Gina Ekdal, Hjalmar's capable wife who manages both home and photography studio while harboring secrets from her past. Her performance showcases resilience and practicality that anchors the family. Mahira Kakkar brings intelligence and charm to Mrs. Sørby, while veteran actors Robert Stanton and David Patrick Kelly (of Twin Peaks fame) round out an ensemble that critics describe as "beyond superb."

A particular revelation is Maaike Laanstra-Corn as teenage daughter Hedvig. Her trembling vulnerability and restless energy capture a young girl facing circumstances she cannot fully understand, delivering moments of both heartbreak and unexpected humor.

Simon Godwin's direction has been lauded for its precision and restraint, avoiding gimmicks in favor of rich, natural performances that showcase ensemble acting at its finest. He expertly threads the line between the play's comedy and tragedy, finding humor without sacrificing emotional depth.

The production design amplifies the drama's power. Scenic designer Andrew Boyce creates a photographer's studio and home beneath a raked glass ceiling, with lighting by Stacey Derosier that shifts to mark mood and time. An upstairs door hints at the mysterious attic aviary where the wounded duck lives among rabbits and chickens. Sound designer Darron L. West and music director Alexander Sovronsky provide atmospheric Norwegian folk music on viola and Hardanger fiddle during scene transitions, serving as elegant palate cleansers between the drama's emotional courses.

Even the pre-show atmosphere has been carefully crafted—ushers distribute blankets to audience members to combat what they call "the Norwegian cold," setting the tone for the chilly personal interactions to come.

The Wild Duck may be less frequently performed than A Doll's House or Hedda Gabler, but this production demonstrates why it deserves equal attention. Eldridge's adaptation streamlines Ibsen's text while preserving its emotional power, making the 140-year-old play crackle with contemporary relevance to issues of truth, self-delusion, class differences, and corruption.

Fresh from a successful run at Theatre for a New Audience in New York this September, the production has already won over audiences and critics alike. As Godwin noted before opening night, this may be the first—or even the only—time many theatregoers will see this rarely produced masterwork. That alone makes it an essential experience for anyone who loves great drama.

Critics are unanimous in their praise: DC Theatre Arts calls it "exceptional," MD Theatre Guide describes it as "powerfully provocative" and "an emotional, literary, and achingly human tour de force," while Broadway World declares it a "top-flight production" that "packs a universal power."

The Wild Duck runs through November 16, 2025 at Shakespeare Theatre Company's Klein Theatre, located at 450 7th Street NW, Washington, DC. This is a rare opportunity to experience one of the forerunners of theatrical realism in a production that honors both Ibsen's vision and the play's surprising contemporary resonance. Don't miss this chance to see why audiences are calling it one of the season's must-see productions.