A Macho Myth

Notes in the Margins of Some “The Master Builder” Productions

Abstract

Roberto Alonge takes his cue from three editions of The Master Builder by Ibsen (Beppe Navello’s 1999 show, that of 2018 at the Teatro Vertigo in Livorno, the 2019 show by Umberto Orsini) for a long reflection on a disturbing text by the Norwegian playwright. In fact Ibsen is the singer of women’s rights, as evidenced by his famous text A Doll’s House, but the Hilde of The Master Builder reveals the murky psychology of a woman who dreams of being kidnapped and taken by force from the man who abused her when she was a 12-13 year old girl. In conclusion Alonge shares the opinion of Jon Fosse, according to which Ibsen is “the blackest and most demonic author one can meet”.