Kare Conradi’s one man show, Peer Gynt playing at the Coronet Theatre reduces Ibsen’s massive 4–6-hour epic drama to a mere 1hr and 7 mins without apparently losing any of the story or drama. Stripped back to a single actor and a lone chair, it brings the essence of Ibsen to a wider audience.

Peer Gynt follows the wild, wandering life of its charming yet exasperating hero, Peer, a dreamer who constantly flees responsibility in pursuit of greatness. Beginning in rural Norway, Peer’s imagination propels him into a series of fantastical encounters: trolls, mythical creatures, desert kingdoms, and shipwrecks. Each adventure reflects his restless desire to be “himself,” though he rarely knows what that means. As he grows older, Peer’s bravado gives way to introspection, forcing him to confront the consequences of a life spent chasing illusions. At the heart of the play stands Solveig, whose steadfast love offers the redemption Peer has long avoided.

Kare Conradi is a well‑known Norwegian actor with an extensive career in theatre, film, and television. He’s especially recognised for his work with the National Theatre of Norway and for international roles, including the comedy series Norsemen. Conradi brings out Peer’s alienation from all his many worlds and makes painful sense of the protagonists search for his self. Is it a dramatized lecture or a play? Conradi is engaging and thanks to his versatility and gift of storytelling, partly in English or more dramatically in Norwegian it never becomes dry. Humorous asides to the 21st century audience lighten the mood.

Blending folklore, satire, and philosophical depth, Peer Gynt is both a playful epic and a sharp critique of ego, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves. It remains one of Ibsen’s most imaginative and enduring works.

Five Stars.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

Peer Gynt is showing at the Coronet Theatre 19th & 20th Feb with an after-show Q&A on the 20th

Tickets and further information can be found be following the link below

https://www.thecoronettheatre.com

Performed by Kare Conradi

Adapted by Elizabeth Gording & Kare Conradi

Text by Henrik Ibsen

Directed by Kare Conradi

Lighting Design Anders Busch

Produced by Andre Moi Danielsen & The Norwegian Ibsen Company

Music In Solitude by Ole Bull

Recorded by Arve Tellefsen