Program
A Doll's House
by
Henrik Ibsen
adapted by Luke Monsour and Cindy Monsour
Directed by
Luke Monsour
1st to 10th May
About the writer
Henrik Ibsen (20 March 1828 – 23 May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright. He is considered one of the world's pre-eminent writers of the 19th century and is often referred to as "the father of modern drama".
He pioneered theatrical realism but also wrote lyrical epic works. His major works include Brand, Peer Gynt, Emperor and Galilean, A Doll's House, Ghosts, An Enemy of the People, The Wild Duck, Rosmersholm, Hedda Gabler, The Master Builder, and When We Dead Awaken. In 2014 Ibsen was considered the most frequently performed dramatist in the world after Shakespeare.
About the Play
Nora Helmer lives a perfect life with her three children and newly minted Bank Director husband Torvald, however this life is built on a secret she has carried for years: a deceit she engaged in to save Torvald’s life, a deceit that if discovered would destroy her home and family. When a blackmail threatens to expose her secret, Nora is forced to confront the reality of her marriage, her life, and herself.
The play explores the emotional cost of honesty, the struggle for self-determination, and the courage it takes to see one’s life clearly.
Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is a high-stakes domestic drama that remains as vital today as when it was written in 1879. A landmark of modern drama, the play shocked audiences around the world with its unflinching examination of marriage, gender roles, and societal expectations.
Perhaps the most widely known and read English version of A Doll’s House is William Archer’s translation from 1889. While remaining true to Ibsen’s core themes, the writing was specific for the English audience of the time. This new adaptation, while leaning on Archer’s and other early translations, has several intentions: to steer the writing back towards Ibsen’s original pre-translation text and more clearly examine the humanity of the script; to modernise the dialogue for today’s audiences and actors, while retaining much of the colour and flavour that Ibsen himself had written; and to pull focus on Nora’s love for her children and the deep struggle she faces. In exploring the script this way, not only much of the lightness and humour became clearer, but the roles of all the characters appeared to come forward, underlining Ibsen’s own description of the play – that is it first and foremost a humanist play, about humans. It is complex, and messy, and difficult, while at the same time it is full of love, devotion, honour and perseverance.
About the Director
For this production of A Doll’s House, Luke is particularly interested in exploring moral complexity and emotional subtlety, creating space for actors to discover the humanity and inner life of each character.
Luke Monsour has been an active member of Brisbane’s arts scene for more decades than he’d prefer to say and long-standing contributor to the Villanova Players. As a performer for VP, he has appeared in numerous productions including Snapshots from Home (2002), The Busybody, Rumors, Lottie: The Musical, Indian Ink, The Real Inspector Hound, An Italian Straw Hat, and 2019’s The Kursk (as Admiral Popov).
As a director for the Villanova Players, Luke has helmed Tennessee William’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Alan Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings, and most recently Joanna Murray-Smith’s Ninety (2022). He aims to bring to every production a collaborative, actor-centred approach, valuing generosity, curiosity, and emotional truth in the rehearsal room.
Crew and Production Team
Director
Luke Monsour
Stage Manager & Intimacy Coordinator
Ella Uhlmann
Costume Coordinator, Set Construction
Lia Surrentino
Lighting Design and Script Adaptor
Cindy Monsour
Set Design, Set Construction
Lucy Moxon
Set Design, Set Construction, Props
Liesa Silver
Set Construction, Props
Ken Dutt
Set Construction, Props
Loretta Donnelly
Set Construction
Hudson Graham
Set Construction
Venus Sacdo Abala
Set Construction
Finn McCrystal
Set Construction
Cindy Monsour
Set Construction
Brent Schon
Lighting and Sound Operator
Venus Sacdo Abala
Casting Committee Liaison
Maria Thompson
Publicity
Jane Binstead
Tarantella Consultant
Lynette Wockner
Special Thanks
Phil Sizer for electrical support, Hugo Monsour for rehearsal musical assistance,
Oscar Monsour, Mardi Schon, Robin Wilden, Stephen Quinn & the Backbone Youth Arts team
Cast
Nora Helmer
Eleanor Crosse
Torvald Helmer
Steven Eggington
Kristine Linde
Mary Veitch
Nils Krogstad
Reece Milne
Dr Rank
Brent Schon
Anne-Marie (the Nanny)
Jane Sizer
Helene (the Maid)
Ella Uhlmann
Cast
Nora Helmer
Eleanor Crosse
Eleanor’s first role with Villanova Players was as a maid in My Fair Lady (2024) and the role of Nora in A Doll's House’ marks her first time leading a Villanova Players show. Nora is a character Eleanor is incredibly excited and honoured to play, as she loves roles that go on complex emotional journeys. Recent performance credits of hers include featured ensemble in Beauty and the Beast (2026), a Major General's Daughter in The Pirates of Penzance (2024) and Tracy in Seascape with Sharks and Dancer (2023). She has both a Diploma and a Bachelor of Acting and Performance completed at TAFE South Bank (2018), and followed that training with a Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble apprenticeship (2019).
When not on stage, Eleanor entertains children as a party princess and teaches afterschool drama classes.
Torvald Helmer
Steven Eggington
Steven has been around community theatre for a while now, but has recently started doing more on stage. He was most recently Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar with Redcliffe Musical Theatre, he was also Hugo in The Vicar of Dibley earlier this year. He was also in Holmes and Watson, A Murder is Announced and The Great Gatsby last year, and My Fair Lady tn 2024. This is Steven's biggest role yet, and he hopes he does it justice.
"It's an honour to perform in such an iconic play. The most interesting thing about it is how real all the characters are. They suprise you, but in ways you can understand, and I can see parts of them in myself and the people in my own life."
Kristine Linde
Mary Veitch
Mary loves jigsaw puzzles, red wine, board games (particularly boards with cheese on them), herbal tea concoctions and theoretically solving the world’s problems with deep discussions with her young adult sons. She is obsessed with musicals, theatre and supporting the arts in any capacity as this is where the magic happens.
Mary's previous prodictions include A Night with the Villians - (Miraball productions), The Music Man (Eulalie Shinn - Savoyards), It Shoulda Been You (Aunt Shiela - Phoenix ensemble) , into the Woods (Stepmother - Redcliffe Musical Theatre), Fiddler in the Roof ( Yente)- Brisbane Musical Theatre) and Jekyll and Hyde (Lady Beaconsfield - Phoenix Ensemble). This is Mary's first production with Villanova Players.
"A Dolls House is so cleverly written. There are many layers to the story. It was so progressive in its day and it still has a message that resonates now. Societal pressure, obligation, success, life’s purpose, gender roles; all these questions are still being asked of us in today’s world, as if we keep rereading the same chapter in new editions of the same book."
Nils Krogstad
Reece Milne
This is my third show with Villanova Players after A Murder is Announced and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, both in 2025.
Television credits include Home and Away, The Warriors, Good Cop/Bad Cop, Rake, Deadloch, In Our Blood.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions” and this play has this in spades. The characters, all trying to do what’s best, pull on one another until the tension becomes too much to bear.
Dr Rank
Brent Schon
I have performed in a range of productions and genres with various theatre groups over many years in greater Brisbane. The highlights of these endeavours being the role of William Randolph Hurst in The Cats Meow and Henry in The Lion in Winter, for Villanova. Also, Brutus in Julius Caesar, Lord Gloucester in King Lear, Polonius/Grave Digger in Hamlet for heartBeast Theatre, Roy in Tim Wynns production of Cosi, Pedro in Man of La Mancha and Telegin in the Curators production of Uncle Vanya. Looking forward to playing Dr Rank in A Doll's House.
Anne-Marie (the Nanny)
Jane Sizer
Upon completing her Bachelors Degress in Performing Arts in the 80's, Jane's professional career began. This lead to varied performances in film, television, and live theatre, with live theatre becoming her passion having performed at La Boite and other companies around Queensland. Jane went on to complete a Bachelors Degree in Applied Theatre, applying this component to her genre as a Certified Hollistic Councillor. Performing at the Sydney Opera House, becoming a published poet, and singing alongside Normie Rowe in his farewell concert in Brisbane are memories Jane holds dear.
Villanova Players have played an ENORMOUS role in her development as a creative artist for over 30 years. Here Jane would like to take the opportunity to thank the amazing cast and crew of A Doll's House. She dedicates her performances to a truly courageous and dear friend, Desiree Nevis.
"In A Doll's House, Anne-Marie represents a kind, stable mother figure who enabled Nora to pursue her own path by managing the household. She is a loyal servant, allowing Nora to detach from her children, and highlights the contrast in hierarchical standing and choices between herself and Nora."
Helene (the Maid)
Ella Uhlmann
A passionate theatre nerd, Ella has been performing since she was 6 years old. Graduating with a Bachelor or Fine Arts (Drama) from QUT, she’s been involved with the theatre industry for several years both onstage and off. Her favourite roles include Grandpa (Trail to Oregon), Martha (Heathers) and Mama Morton (Chicago). Although Ella has a love for the stage, she has also dabbled in several productions behind the scenes. Ella is driven by her love for the creative industries, and she hopes you enjoy the show!
Crew
Director
Luke Monsour
Luke Monsour has been an active member of Brisbane’s arts scene for more decades than he’d prefer to say and long-standing contributor to the Villanova Players. As a performer for VP, he has appeared in numerous productions including Snapshots from Home (2002), The Busybody, Rumors, Lottie: The Musical, Indian Ink, The Real Inspector Hound, An Italian Straw Hat, and 2019’s The Kursk (as Admiral Popov).
As a director for the Villanova Players, Luke has helmed Tennessee William’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Alan Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings, and most recently Joanna Murray-Smith’s Ninety (2022). He aims to bring to every production a collaborative, actor-centred approach, valuing generosity, curiosity, and emotional truth in the rehearsal room.
For this production of A Doll’s House, Luke is particularly interested in exploring moral complexity and emotional subtlety, creating space for actors to discover the humanity and inner life of each character.
Stage Manager & Intimacy Coordinator
Ella Uhlmann
Although Ella has a love for the stage, she has also dabbled in several productions behind the scenes, her latest as the Stage Manager for Almost, Maine for VPs and director of the independent theatre production Pitching A Tent at BackDock Arts.
Costume Coordinator, Set Construction
Lia Surrentino
Lia has enjoyed costuming many shows for John Wikman Productions and Villanova Players and also smaller community theatre groups. More recently she worked on My Fair Lady, The Great Gatsby, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Vicar of Dibley. Since retiring 15 years ago, Lia volunteered at a local hospital and now in addition to her costume volunteering capacity, is also happy helping out at her local community centre cooking delicious meals and desserts for locals.
I’m new to this story having never seen the movie nor any theatrical production, hence lots and lots of research into each character and their nuances, the period in which it was set, the direction the play would take given the many differing interpretations by other theatre groups. Each main character is quite powerful and it’s been wonderful seeing cast members embrace their role.
Lighting Design and Script Adaptor
Cindy Monsour
Cindy's first production with Villanova Players was as co-lighting design for The Shifting Heart in 2005, and then designed lighting for Secret Bridesmaids' Business, An Inspector Calls and Indian Ink. Her most recent lighting adventures for VP have been Ninety (2021), Failure: A Love Story (2024), and Great Expectations (2024).
A Doll's House is the first play adaptation Cindy has worked on, and the journey into a deeper understanding of the play has been challenging and rewarding.
Set Design, Set Construction
Lucy Moxon
Set Design, Set Construction, Props
Liesa Silver
Liesa has a long history with the theatre and the arts. She began with drama classes as a teen with the Twelfth Night and enjoys improv and street theatre. Liesa has studied set design and been a prop maker which makes use of her fine art skills of drawing and painting. Liesa has also worked at the Qld Opera as an artist dresser and chaperone and currently Ushers at the Twelfth Night theatre.
Set Construction, Props
Ken Dutt
Set Construction, Props
Loretta Donnelly
Set Construction
Hudson Graham
Set Construction
Venus Sacdo Abala
Set Construction
Finn McCrystal
Set Construction
Cindy Monsour
Set Construction
Brent Schon
Lighting and Sound Operator
Venus Sacdo Abala
Casting Committee Liaison
Maria Thompson
Publicity
Jane Binstead
Tarantella Consultant
Lynette Wockner
Special Thanks
Phil Sizer for electrical support, Hugo Monsour for rehearsal musical assistance,
Oscar Monsour, Mardi Schon, Robin Wilden, Stephen Quinn & the Backbone Youth Arts team