Film actor stars in Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s latest show in Mold

Mar 1 2012 by Eleanor Barlow, Flintshire Chronicle

An actor who is set to appear on the silver screen in two films this year is starring in Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s latest offering.

Simon Dutton plays Torvald in A Doll’s House, which runs at the Mold theatre throughout March.

He said: “Torvald is the husband of Nora and they have a seemingly very happy, middle class, Norwegian marriage.

“I don’t want to give too much away about the plot but there is a thriller aspect to the play.”

Written in 1870 by Henrik Ibsen, who Dutton brands the greatest dramatist after Shakespeare, the play stunned audiences when it was first performed in the 19th century.

Dutton said: “Ibsen was way ahead of his time and at the time it must have been incredibly shocking.”

The London-born actor is hoping to head to Cannes Film Festival after the run finishes, where Chinese film 1911 is expected to have its European premiere.

The film, which stars and is produced by Jackie Chan, tells the story of the Imperial Revolution and Dutton plays the British ambassador.

He said: “I can’t wait to see it. It has a huge budget and really is an epic.”

This year will also see Dutton appear in another historical movie, The Glass House, based on the true story of a Hungarian soldier in the Second World War who kills a German soldier and steals his uniform.

But despite his film career Dutton, who has appeared in a number of productions at Clwyd Theatr Cymru, says he loves returning to Mold.

He said: “It is a brilliantly run theatre with a fantastic network of people. I love the countryside and like to get out and do a lot of walking while I’m here – I’m just hoping I’ll get the weather to do it!”

A Doll’s House runs in the Emlyn Williams Theatre at Clwyd Theatr Cymru until March 31. Tickets cost between £9 and £15. To book visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or call the box office on 0845 330 3565.