What’s in a translation?
This week, while watching a rehearsal for Ghosts it struck me what a difference a translation can make. I first read Ghosts in college and was embarrassed to admit I didn’t understand it at all. The dialogue (and therefore the plot) was confusing to me. I found a strong dislike for the characters.
Lanford Wilson’s translation of Ghosts is true to the original intent, but it is more conversational. All of those outdated references and themes I found so confusing are made relevant. Although, I was already very familiar with the story I found I was being drawn into the character’s lives in a new way.
It seems for Ghosts, Lanford Wilson’s translation has provided much-needed insights which invite empathy. The same characters I found so distasteful before became pitiable and human. These are people we all understand. So often we see remakes (of any type) as second-rate, rarely can you say that a new version of an older classic is a worthwhile. This is a powerful script, which pays great tribute to Ibsen.
-Molly
Tags: Ghosts, Henrik Ibsen, Ibsen, Lanford, Lanford Wilson, Raconteur, Raconteur Theatre, translation