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Carrie Cracknell

The play A dolls house intrigued me because of its feminist views and interpretations on this

world so I have decided to look further into Carrie Cracknell who is the director of this play. I want

to understand what influences her and her work because, I think this will help me visualise the work

in a directors prospective rather than an actors. These are a few facts that I have learnt about CarrieCracknell, she is a young talented British theatre director who was a joint artistic director of the

Gate Theatre in London from 2007 to 2012. Her work become very well known because of its

different approach in mixing contemporary dance with theatre. Cracknell also did reinterpretations

of classic plays such as Medea which is one of her most recent ones. However she is now currently

an Associate Director of the Royal Court Theatre.

It's about human beings trying to find the truest versions of themselves." Women's lifestyles have

changed irrevocably but tensions still resonate, she says. Yet today's Noras are differently trapped:

"We are sold the idea that women are free, our experience equal to men's. The new entrapment is

about women trying to fulfil an infinite number of roles." She finds it "chilling" that women are"increasingly sexualised in

our

culture.

The play A dolls house for me seems like an exploration into the ways in which people sometimes

live false lives with partners but it is also a real eye opener into Cracknells views on feminism

because, I have never stopped and thought about it in this way before. I think Cracknell wants to

raise awareness to this on going

issue of sexism that we still seem to

be facing in this day and age. We

are told that men and women have

equal rights in education and

employment but in fact when youreally think about equality, is

everything always as equal as they

say it is because to me it is all

starting to look like an illusion. I

believe Cracknells aim is to

question the audience and to make

them think about these issues,

instead of just accepting it for what

it is. I believe she does what she

does to make a change and

influence and educate as many as

possible on the real truth behind

sexism.

I have leant that Cracknell only got into directing after a disastrous attempt at acting. She struggled

learning her lines so, she decided directing was more appealing to her. She quoted, Its being on

the outside looking in and in control of the whole world. Whereas with a performer its the

complete opposite, it is like "being inside and unable to see". Her time in Edinburgh was when

directing really possessed her. Cracknell believes that it is like having a strange conceit about a

piece because its like bringing people into your dream world. This idea of your own dream world

and being able to create your own visions is what excites me about directing.

8/10/2019 Carrie Cracknell

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To conclude, I now understand that Cracknell is exploring uncertainties, excitements and tensions

of gender politics. This has now given me a complete different outlook on directing and equality

because it has helped me with an understanding of true influences and objectives.

Methode:On Directing: Carrie Cracknell | Digital Theatre Plus. 2014. On Directing: Carrie Cracknell | Digital

Theatre Plus. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/making-theatre/creative-team/on-directing-carrie-cracknell#. [Accessed 28 october 2014].

National Theatre: Medea today - YouTube. 2014. National Theatre: Medea today - YouTube.[ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwYjqylt9h8. [Accessed 28 October2014].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwYjqylt9h8https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/making-theatre/creative-team/on-directing-carrie-cracknell#