Hedda brings a fiery performance to Shanghai

First time helmer Exir Kamalabadi received strong reviews in bringing this challenging piece to the East West Theatre in Shanghai. Kamalabadi leads a cast of Shanghai regulars like the ardent performance of Sara Garcia as Hedda and the solid professionalism of Paul Collins as her former flame Eilert Lovborg as well as some refreshingly new faces on the Shanghai scene.

Sara Garcia (l.) and Paul Collins

according to Smart Shanghai reviewer Cindy Kuan “While the entire cast is excellent, the credibility of the whole production hinges on Garcia’s portrayal of Hedda, and Garcia does not disappoint. She haughtily deadpans some of the biggest laughs in the show, and her physicality is just spot-on, seemingly charming and full of grace, but complemented by small movements that belie the more aggressive, arrogant and manipulative attitude that lurks beneath the surface. Garcia nails every sideways glance, sardonic smile, eye roll and eyebrow raise, and consistently conveys a sense of quiet control with her firm body posture and slow, deliberate steps.”

Of course something is to be said for the 19-year old director. Kamalabadi’s fresh view might be responsible for the fresh interpretation that made this old standard fit for a modern Shanghai audience. ” It’s an older play, but you wouldn’t know it from this production — the dialogue is not muddied by old-fashioned language, costumes are updated for a contemporary audience, the pace of the action is nice and fluid. With Hedda Gabler, East West has done a marvelous job at bringing a modern production of a classic play that will be pleasantly accessible and compelling to new and established stage enthusiasts alike.”

Both Kamalabadi and Collins participated in director Richard Trombly’s short film Analysis.  http://www.obscure-productions.com/analysis.html