Arcola production of Ibsen's play about the famous architect Halvard Solness, adapted by David Edgar and directed by Mehmet Ergen.
The Master Builder opened at the Arcola Theatre in Dalston on 16 October, and it runs through to 21 November. It's Ibsen's play about Halvard Solness, an architect at the height of his fame who's paralysed by a fear of the younger generation and of becoming irrelevant. The story centres on his encounter with the enigmatic Hilde Wangel, who reawakens a promise he made her ten years before and drives him to confront the true cost of his success.
This staging is adapted by David Edgar, a revival of his 2010 version. It arrives as a return to form for the theatre after a largely unsuccessful 2025 modern adaptation starring Ewan McGregor. Greg Hicks takes the lead as Solness, reuniting with Arcola's Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen following their sold-out productions of An Enemy of the People and Richard III at the venue. The Guardian called the latter 'Ibsen stripped to the bone and delivered with rare urgency', and the Independent on Sunday described Ergen's production as 'thrillingly tense'.
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Rounding out the cast are Louisa Binder as Hilde Wangel, Sally George as Aline Solness, and Peter Guinness as Doctor Herdal. The set was hand-painted by illustrator and visual artist Maya Bora Yeşil. The production runs for 2 hours 30 minutes, including an interval, with tickets priced between £12 and £39. You'll find the Arcola at 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL, in the heart of Dalston.
