John Gabriel Borkman, by Henrik Ibsen, portrays the downfall of a former banker convicted of fraud who, years after his release, lives secluded upstairs in his house, isolated from his wife and obsessed with regaining his lost glory. Inspired by a real story, the drama centres around family tensions, generational conflict and the excessive ambitions of a man convinced he was wronged. The play exposes Borkman’s delusions of grandeur and his belief in a future of power and prosperity, echoing speeches by contemporary figures who see themselves as saviours of humanity. It is a disturbing portrait of arrogance, failure and the consequences of an ego-centred world view.
John Gabriel Borkman premiered in Portugal at Teatro Monumental, in 1956. That production was directed by Costa Ferreira, and the cast were João Villaret, Alma Flora, Paulo Renato, Sara Vale, Maria Paulo, Fernando Gusmão, Emília Batista and Fernanda Borsatti.
With the support of 
