Next year is the centenary of Ibsen's death and this month a new production of his play Pillars of the Community opened at the National Theatre in London.
In the UK, it's one of Ibsen's least performed plays - the last professional production was staged nearly 30 years ago. Ibsen's female characters are striking and memorable, so how does the Norwegian playwright portray women? Who were the significant women in his own life and how did they influence his work?
Martha Kearney talks to Lesley Manville who is currently playing Lona Hessel in Pillars of the Community, and Dr Marie Wells, lecturer in Norwegian at University College London.
Pillars of the Community is on at the National until February 4th 2006
