When Ibsen wrote the play in 1881 it provoked an uproar because it dealt with issues that a self-righteous, hypocritical society would have preferred to leave well under the carpet.

Those issues are still alive and kicking today – in particular assisted suicide, and the karmic laws of dependence arising, the sins of the father visiting the son.

Oswald Alving returns home on the eve of the official opening of an orphanage dedicated to the memory of his late father, Captain Alving.

It is Oswald’s mother, Helene, who has kept the reputation of her husband intact during the ten years since he died and it is she who has organised the finance for the orphanage. However, tragedy lies just around the corner as the sins of the past return to haunt the present.

Ibsen’s classic play is just as resonant today as it was more than 120 years ago and manages to touch the nerves of modern audiences still grappling with issues surrounding sexually transmitted disease and euthanasia.

Ghosts is the second play to be presented by the Open Space Theatre Company which was formed in the autumn of 2008. Its first production, One Glass Wall, a new play by Danusia Iwaszko, was widely praised.

Performances:

Friday, May 8, 2009 – Hoxne Village Hall, box office 01379 855101

Saturday, May 9, 2009 – Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich, box office 01473 211498 (10 am – 2 pm, Mon-Fri)

Friday, May 15, 2009 – Wingfield Barns, box office 01379 384505

Saturday, May 16, 2009 – Debenham Community Centre, box office 01379 855101

Friday, May 22, 2009 – The Cut Arts Centre, Halesworth, box office 0845 6732123 (11 am – 2 pm, Tues-Sat)

Saturday, May 23, 2009 – Fisher Theatre, Bungay, box office 01986 897130

Tickets £8 and £6 (concessions)

All performances start at 7.30 pm except at Sir John Mills (7.45 pm)

Open Space Theatre Company was formed in 2008 with the joint aim of producing classical and contemporary plays and issue-based drama.

www.openspacetheatre.org.uk