The Wild Duck

 The Wild Duck
Theatre for a New Audience
Polonski Shakespeare Center
September 6, 2025

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

In his new version of The Wild Duck, playwright David Eldridge captures the depth, darkness, and emotional impact of Henrik Ibsen’s original writing.  The revelation of past action causes hurt and disruption that will hopefully lead to redemption and forgiveness.  Unfortunately, when the feeling of betrayal overwhelms, it incites additional action that causes irreparable damage.  Director Simon Godwin guides this stellar cast through a myriad of turmoil to create an impactful and lasting experience. 

Alexander Hurt & Nick Westrate
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Gregers (played by Alexander Hurt) returns home and is reunited with his childhood friend, Ekdal
(played by Nick Westrate).  Ekdal shares how Gregers’ father (played by Robert Stanton) made it possible for him to start a career as a photographer and marry Gina (played by Melanie Field).  Gregers is suspicious and confronts his father.  He is most concerned about the relations his father might have had with Gina when she was their housekeeper.  This argument builds, causing Gregers to separate from his father and abandon the family business and his inheritance.  When Gregers visits Ekdal, he ends up renting a room in his house.  Gregers reveals what he knows about Gina’s past, causing more trouble than he anticipated. 

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

The metaphor of the wild duck is clear and powerful in this production.  The duck was shot by Gregers’ father, saved by his hunting dog, then given to Ekdal’s father (played by David Patrick Kelly) to nurse back to health.  Ekdal and Gina’s daughter, Hedwig (played by Maaike Laanstra-Corn), grows attached to the wounded bird.  Gregers compares himself to the hunting dog, who dove to the bottom of the “deep blue sea” to retrieve it.  The family has been mortally wounded by Gregers father, and Hedwig’s attachment is vital in their healing process.  Her final action makes a bold statement on the prospect of that ever happening.

Melanie Field & Alexander Hurt
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Maaike Laanstra-Corn plays Hedwig as fragile and innocent.  David Patrick Kelly portrays Ekdal’s father as determined, proud, and stubborn.  The dichotomy of these qualities is also reflected in Gregers’ insistent pushing of the truth and Ekdal’s being fully in the dark about past events.  Alexander Hurt and Nick Westrate play these characters with a strong sense of trust, which leads to both their downfalls.  Melanie Field plays Gina as steadfast and grounded.  The characteristics these actors focus on in their performances allow the conflict between them to heighten, the action to rise with urgency, and the reality of their despair to deepen. 

The Wild Duck is playing at Theatre for a New Audience’s Polonsky Shakespeare Center through September 28.  This is an expertly conceived production with a cast that delivers compelling performances. 

Domenick Danza