Synopsis

Act 1A Doll’s House opens on Christmas eve. Nora Helmer is busy bus- tling about with her Christmas shopping. Torvald, her husband, comes out of his study when he hears her singing. He chides her for spending so much money and reminds her of the struggles they have had. They talk about Torvald’s promotion to bank manager. The maid announces the arrival of Dr Rank and a guest who turns out to be Nora’s school friend Chris-tine Linde. They haven’t seen each other in nearly 10 years and so settle down to catch up. We find out that Christine’s husband had died leaving her nothing and she has had a hard struggle, constantly working to live. Nora tells her off her trip to Italy for Torvald’s health and then pushes Chris- tine further on her life. Christine talks about having to look after her mother and brothers who no longer need her and so she is look- ing for work to fill her life. Nora promises to ask Torvald to find something for her then reveals her great secret how she illegally borrowed money for the trip to Italy and has slowly been repaying the debt ever since.Krogstad, a low level employee of the bank, arrives to speak to Tor- vald. Dr Rank joins the ladies saying how Krogstad is ‘morally sick’. After Krogstad leaves, Nora asks Torvald to find Christine some work who consents to finding her a position at the bank. Dr Rank, Torvald and Mrs Linde go and leave Nora by herself. The children return with Anne and Nora plays with them. Krogstad ap- pears again and it is revealed that she owes the money to him. Krogstad blackmails Nora into helping him keep his position. Krogstad leaves just as Torvald gets home. Nora tries to convince Torvald to let Krogstad keep his job but he refuses to listen.

Interval

Act 2Act 2 opens on Christmas Day. Nora is alone and full of anxiety. Mrs Linde arrives and helps Nora repair a costume for the fancy dress ball the following evening. They talk about Dr Rank’s condi- tion which leads Christine to suspect that Nora received the loan

Synopsis

from him. Nora denies the claims but refuses to tell Christine where the money came from and what troubles her. Torvald arrives and Nora once again tries to convince him to save Krogstad’s job. He refuses again and this time in his anger he sends off the letter of dismissal. Torvald leaves and Dr Rank arrives to tell Nora he is dy- ing. She attempts to cheer him up and then starts to ask for his help. Dr Rank announces his love for Nora and so she keeps her troubles to herself. Dr Rank leaves and Krog-stad arrives. He tells Nora that Torvald must give him a higher position in the bank and that he has put a letter detailing her forgery in the letter-box for Tor- vald to see. Nora tells Mrs Linde everything. Christine asks Nora to delay her husband whilst she goes to speak to Krogstad. In order to distract Torvald, Nora practises her tarantella for the ball, getting him to help her. Mrs Linde returns and tells Nora in secret that Krogstad will not be in until the next evening.

Act 3The next evening the Helmer’s and Dr Rank attend the fancy dress ball upstairs whilst Krogstad meets Mrs Linde in the Helmer’s liv- ing room. They talk about Mrs Linde marrying a wealthier man despite Krogstad loving her. They agree to be together and Krog- stad declares he will re-move the letter from the letterbox containing Nora’s secret. Mrs Linde refuses to let him as she is sure the Hel- mer’s would be better off when the truth was revealed. Krogstad departs just as Nora and Helmer re-turn. They say goodnight to Mrs Linde and Torvald tells Nora why he brought her downstairs early. Dr Rank is passing by and quickly inter-rupts Torvald’s advances on Nora. After Dr Rank leaves, Torvald finds his business card in the letterbox and so Nora reveals Dr Rank is going away to die. She then insists that Torvald read Krogstad’s letter. He does and in his rage declares that Nora may not raise her children . Another letter arrives from Krogstad stating he has had a change of heart. Torvald is overjoyed and attempts to brush off everything he has just said but it has gone too far for Nora. She talks about their relationship and how she has just been his “doll”. She then announces that she is leaving him. She walks out and Torvald is left alone.

CAST

Nora Helmer - Victoria Jane Appleton and Caroline Hobbs

Torvald Helmer - Robert Pollington and Joseph Steyne

Dr Rank - Simon Balcon

Christine Linde - Neusha Milanian and Jennifer Haynes

Nils Krogstad - Timothy Weston

Nurse/ Maid/ Anne - Cathryn Sherman

Ivar, Bob and Emmy - Luca, Ben and Mia from PD Management

Dr Rank Understudy - Michael Walsh

Nils Krogstad Understudy - Leo-Marcus Wan

CREW

Produced by The Goats Theatre Company Ltd

Director - Carolyn Saint-Pé

Stage Manager - Chantal Veness

Casting Director - Angora

Sound/ Light Technician - Robert Ennis

Pianist - Chris Mear

Photographer - Joseph Steyne

Costume/ Head of Wardrobe - Rebecca Goodacre

Wardrobe Assistant - Sarah Pearce

Hair & Makeup - Myrto Theofanous-Vlachou

Children’s Agency - PD Management

Victoria Jane Appleton (Angora Goat)Victoria trained at London Metropolitan. Her credits include Dame Ger- tie Gumdrops & Rudolph in Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (Hurricane Produc-tions), Sparkles the Clown, Colourful Elephant in Alice’s New Ad- venture in Wonderland (The Courtyard Theatre), Sandy D in feature film Cassette (Magpie Motion Pictures) and Gloucester in King Lear (Lucy Richardson). Victoria is now proud to be working alongside The Goats Theatre Company as an actor, writer and director.

About the Cast

Caroline Hobbs (Saanen Goat)Caroline trained at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

Since returning to the UK she has been in Music Videos for Artists such as, ‘Kyla La Grange’, ‘V.A.S’ and ‘Columbia’, enjoyed a month’s spell at the Edinburgh

Fringe Festival in ‘Five One’s’ Production of ‘Andersen 2011’ and is currently filming the lead in ‘A Romance In Parts’ a half hour short about the demise of

a seemingly idyllic relationship. Before training Caroline taught Drama in a school environment and has lead many Work- shops/Drama Clubs for ages 11 -

65+

Robert Pollington (Hong Tong Goat)Robert trained at Drama Centre London under its founders Christopher Fettes and the late Yat Malmgren. In 2005 he created his own theatre company with Dugald Gunn, Guy Flanagan, Jonathan McWilliams and Perri Snowdon called Rare Accidents, focused on developing new work and rediscovering forgotten classics. They took their work to perform at the Old Vic’s Pit as well as Camden’s Proud Galleries. Robert’s work in theatre includes, Fields Of Tinder at Chester Castle, If I Walk Through This Door Will I Find Heaven at 176, Merchant Of Venice at Union Theatre, Galileo at Brentwood Theatre and Mary Rose at the Arcola Theatre. Film and television include the Nokia Short Film 2011 nomi-nated Dirt, Izzy, The Visitor and Tales Of Hoffmann.

Joseph Steyne (Bagot Goat)Joseph started his acting career aged 14 at The Crucible Youth Thea- tre. HegraduatedwithaBAHonsfromBirminghamSchoolofActing and then furthered his acting skills at the Drama Centre London. Joseph has performed at theatres such as: The Nottingham Playhouse, The Shef- field Crucible, The Underbelly, The Crescent Theatre and Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre and worked with award winning Directors such as: Debora Page, Naomi Edwards, Peter Gill and Mi-chael Grandage. Film credits include: Four Little Letters (award winning short, dir Sean Spencer) andRomance (dir Sean Spencer); Crossing That Bridge (Changeling Films), The Last October (Lightstorm Productions) and Brocken Souls (Umbrella Productions), Bad Girls (award win- ning TV, Shed Productions), The Frank Foley Story (BBC) and Dear Nobody (BBC).

About the Cast

Simon Balcon (Verata Goat) SIMON BALCON trained at Drama Studio London and the Actors Tem- ple. His theatre credits include Templeton in Charlotte’s Web,Demetrius in A Midsum-mer Night’s Dream and Antonio in Twelfth Nightfor the Cambridge Shakespeare Company, and Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet at the Tower of London. He has ap-peared as Todd Hockney in The Usual Suspects at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and toured nationally with Ape Theatre’s Too Much Punch for Judy. He played Tony Blair in the award winning Newsrevue in London, a role he reprised in Much AdoAbout Nothing for Illyria Theatre Company. Most recently he played Reynaldo and Fran- cisco in Hamlet, for the Actors Temple Company in the crypt of St An-drew's Church, Hol- born.

Timothy Weston (Fainting Goat)Timothy studied at the Sydney Theatre School where he obtained a Dip. Theatre Performance Timothy also attended the ATYP Acting Intensive Course and the

NIDA Acting to Camera Course. Recent stage credits in- clude: Chekhov's Guns (The TAP Gallery); J.Caesar (The Star of the Sea); A Midsummer Night's Dream

and The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare By The Sea); Twelfth Night, Find Me, Defenceless Inarticulate and Screaming For Attention (STS); Reservoir Dogs, Da

Vinci Code the Musical, Hamlet, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Critic, Charles IV, The Collection and A Mid-

summer Night’s Dream (Cellar Theatre); The Soldier’s Tale (Sydney Conservato-rium of Music); The Station (Page to Stage). Recent screen credits include: The Breakup (short - Dir Tom Norrie) and Dutch Courage (short - Dir Tom Norrie

and Patrick Coyte), Nerds FC and Nerds FC 2 (TV - for SBS)

Neusha Milanian (Peacock Goat)Neusha graduated from Drama Centre with an MA in European Acting in Sep-tember 2011. Since then she has performed in the prestigious Old Vic New Voices '24hr Plays' at the Old Vic and most recently in the Time War- ner IGNITE project in the Old Vic Tunnels. Other theatre credits include: You Me Bum Bum Train (LEB Building/ Barbican) and It Felt Like A Kiss (Punchdrunk, Manchester International Festival).

Jennifer Haynes (Kinder Goat)Jennifer was born and bred in Newcastle where her theatre credits include: Billy

Liar (d. Anne Havis, People's Theatre), A Beggars Opera (d.Barry Wilmot, Jubilee Theatre), Fight Night – Radio Play (d. Scott Illingworth, Theatre Royal Newcas-

tle), A Midsummer Night's Dream (d. Anna Dob- son) and Shaken and Bounced (d. Gordon Duffy McGhie- Theatre Royal, Consol Theatre Germany). Since

moving to London she has worked on performances with artists such as Michael Dean (Acts of Grass – Serpen- tine Gallery), Lily Keal (COUP – New Art Gal-lery), Zelda Mckay (A Taste Full Space – St Pauls, Islington) and Laura Cooper

(Tied – Short Film). Prior to her move, Jennifer lead drama clubs for ages 11-14, worked with Nexus on an educational piece for primary schools and worked with

TinArts – an arts company that work with adults with learning disabilities and with children in local hospitals.

About the Cast

Cathryn Sherman (San Clemente)Theatre work includes the UK National Tour of The Sound Of Music as Swing / Understudy Sister Berthe , Les Miserables as Ensemble / Understudy Mme The-nardier (The Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue) Cecily Farr in 84 Charing Cross Road at 84 Charing Cross Road. Television work includes 3 episodes of Eastend-ers and The Great Plague - a drama documentary. Film work includes For Love to be released 2012. She sang in the vocal booth at Starlight Express (The Apollo Theatre, Victoria), The Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert at The Royal Al-bert Hall and the 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 Arena, and backing vocals for Lesley Garrett’s Travelling Light Tour.

Leo Marcus-WanLeo has recently moved to London to pursue a career in acting.  Whilst studying

at Oxford University his roles included: Belize/Mr Lies in Angels in America, Lola in Mercury Fur, Angelo in Measure for Measure and Sim Tappertit in a newly

devised production of Charles Dickens’ Barnaby Rudge.  He has also toured with Thelma Holt Ltd. as the French King in Henry V (Trafalgar Studios, London and

Rustaveli State Theatre, Tblisi) and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (UK Tour and Tokyo Metropolitan Arts Centre).  Leo made his professional London

debut as Feste in Twelfth Night (Swivel Theatre Company/Cockpit Theatre).

Michael Walsh (Moxoto)Michael Luke Walsh trained at Arts Ed, credits include, Psychiatrist “Sonnet 147” Film dir Willson Hau, Professor Wiley Thomas “Christmas Cock-up” at the Cock-pit Theatre, Erick “Until the sweetness has gone” Film dir Nicolas Laborie, Ober-on in “A midsummer’s night dream” for Barefoot in the Grass, David in “Dead Woman’s Music” for Hydra Productions, Peter in “suffering Beauty” for Siren Arts at the Union Theatre, Max in “Art Imitates life Imitates Art” at The Hen and Chickens Theatre, Steve in “Connections” for Hydrae Productions at the Kings Head Theatre. Michael has also done Stand up comedy and original characters for cabaret.

Director - Carolyn Saint-PéCarolyn trained as an actress and a singer in Paris and London. Carolyn is one of the theatre directors of The Goats and also writes some of the music for the shows. Directing credits include “Alice’s New Adventure in Wonderland” at the Courtyard Theatre 2011 and Meridian Opera tour in 2010. Stage credits include: 16 Number Leaders in Alice’s New Adventure in Wonderland; Chorus in La Bohème (dir Robin Norton Hale, The Cock Theatre). Film credit include: Mag-gie in Knock Knock (Short, dir Asa Wheatley); the voice of Lady Bear in How-ard (Animation, Julia Pott); Psychiatrist in Robot Boy (Short, dir Will White).

About the Crew

Stage Manager - Chantal VenessChantal trained at Hastings Stage Studio, Wendy Cameron Academy of Dance,

and the University of Winchester. Her Production credits include Veni Vedi Theatre Company (ASM), Lauderdale House London (FOH), Little Angel Thea-tre (FOH), The Kings Head (ASM / Marketing and Research Intern), Opera UK

(Wardrobe Assistant), Stables Theatre (FOH).

Sound / Light Technician - Robert EnnisRobert trained at the University of Hertfordshire and currently works for the BBC as a broadcast engineer . He has teched for various events including the Holloway Arts Festival and Oxjam. Most recently he recorded the album for up and coming band Jenny Said Yes.

Photographer - Joseph SteyneJoseph started his photography career in 2010 inspired by the vivid colours of the

Songkran festival in Thailand. After returning home, he developed his passion by studying at the London School of Photography. With a background in act-

ing he has a keen eye for both production shots and head shots. Theatre Clients include Good Night Out Presents, Etcetera Theatre, Kings Head Theatre and

GLYPT. Joseph has covered designer catwalk shows and private ventures to pho-tograph celebrities including; Jeremy Irons, Alexandra Shulman, Elaine Paige and HRH Princess Michael of Kent and has also artistically directed fashion shoots in

diverse locations such as Leake Street ‘Banksy Tunnel’, Hardy Amies Savile Sow and Southbank Club.

Head of Wardrobe - Rebecca Goodacre

Rebecca trained at Wimbledon College of the Arts. Her credits include Tricycle Theatre (wardrobe assistant), Wyndham’s Theatre (dresser) and Diamante & Dance (seamstress).

About the Crew

Wardrobe Assistant - Sarah Pearce

Sarah trained at the Arts University College in Bournemouth. Her credits in-clude CBBC Christmas Pantomime (Wardrobe Assistant), King & Allen (tai-loring consultant), CBBC (costume maker), Windsor Bride (seamstress), and

independatn film Doremi (costume maker).

Hair/ Makeup Artist - Myrto Theofanous-Vlachou

Myrto trained with ACME and Greasepaint. Her credits include the London Film School (MUA), Les Enfants Terribles (MUA/ Designer), The Coronation of Popaea (MUA) and Zodiac - The Plumed Snake (MUA).

About The Goats Theatre CompanyWe are called the Goats theatre company from the greek meaning for tragedy: goats play

The aim of The Goats is threefold:For the Kids - Educational Repertory Company

The Goats is a repertory company providing a platform for education in a fun and friendly format. We aim to make literary material accessible to a wider community in an innovative way. All our shows

contain instrumental and vocal scores as well as dancing.

The Tribe - Repertory Company for the CommunityThe Goats is a repertory company providing shows in the round in the form of sketches taken from ei-ther the literary classics or modern material based on themes. All our shows contain instrumental and

vocal scores as well as dancing.

Play the Goat - New RepertoireThe Goats aim to provide a platform for new writers and directors to present new short and full length

plays in a variety of formats.Description

Why did the Greek call their plays goat plays?Actors embody our lives and shortcomings throughout the story of the play. Through their experi-

ences we learn about our own lives. They are the scape goats who suffer so that we can learn from their mistakes.

we are The Goats...

This producetion is in dedication to

Mira Hamermesh (1923-2012)

We were saddened by the news of Mira’s passing. It is without a doubt that she was a pioneer, an inspiration, that will be greatly missed.

“Mira Hamermesh, who has died aged 88, was a film-maker of the first rank. Several women have made, or are making, superlative documentaries for British television. Hamermesh was of their num-ber. The films were carefully constructed and beautifully composed – the writer Fay Weldon said she

had “a faultless painter’s eye”. But they also dealt in ideas; Mira made us think.”

For the full commeration please click here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/feb/26/mira-hamermesh

With thanks to

Blue Linen Cupboard

Special mention to

Dave Wybrow and all the fabulous staff at the cockpit; we couldn’t have done it without you, Colin at PD Management, Kristin Hamada

at Equity, Ed, Sarah & Gemma and all the staff at The Old Crown Pub-lic House, Jeff at The Gunmakers Arms, Su and Romily at Blue Linen Cupboard Vintage French linens, Nathan at Style Service, Astrid, Jo-seph Steyne Photography, Robert Pollington for the constant and re-

lentless use of his car

Last and not least thank you to everyone involved (we love you goats!) and to our friends and family who have been so supportive. Thank

you to you for coming to see the show!