Henrik Ibsen’s masterpiece Ghosts receives a visceral, high-intensity revival in Richard Eyre’s critically acclaimed adaptation. Directed by Kwame Owusu, this production brings the heavy, secrets-laden world of the Alving family into the intensely intimate 70-seat space at Jermyn Street Theatre.
Norway, 1881. Years ago, Helene sent her beloved son away from the family home. Today, Oswald returns. His arrival coincides with the grand opening of an orphanage to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his father’s death. But as mother and son reunite, long-buried secrets emerge – setting off a chain reaction that threatens to consume them both.
We sat down with actor Joe Pitts to discuss stepping into the complex role of Oswald, navigating the transition between screen and stage, and working in one of London’s most immediate theatrical spaces.
What first attracted you to the role of Oswald and this particular production of Ghosts?
Joe Pitts: I’ve been interested in Ibsen’s work since I first discovered him as a student, and Ghosts in particular has genuinely been on my bucket list of plays to be involved in. His characters grapple with intense psychological and moral conflicts, and Oswald is no exception. He’s a deeply complex and rich character to bring to life and a gift to play as an actor. Knowing I’d get to work under Kwame Owusu’s direction, using Richard Eyre’s exceptional adaptation, also made it a project I couldn’t pass up.
How are you feeling about making your debut at Jermyn Street Theatre, especially given how intimate the 70-seat space is?
Joe Pitts: There are definitely some nerves, as it’s a very intimate space to play in. That said, I think the studio layout is a massive gift for a piece like this. It creates an inescapable, high-pressure environment that mirrors the tight, heavy atmosphere of the Alving household perfectly. It should feel incredibly raw and immediate for everyone in the room.
In what ways does Richard Eyre’s adaptation bring out the themes of freedom and the past for modern audiences?
Joe Pitts: Eyre’s version strips away any stuffiness you might expect from a 19th-century play and makes the stakes feel incredibly honest and real for an audience today. It zeroes in on how heavily ancestral choices, hidden histories, generational trauma and systemic hypocrisy can trap a person and dismantle their ideology and belief system. His dialogue highlights the agonizing friction between one’s impulse to break free and the painful undertow of the past.
How has it been working with director Kwame Owusu to unpack these intense, long-buried family secrets?
Joe Pitts: Working with Kwame has been brilliant – I would advocate for any actor to work with him if they’re lucky enough to be given the chance. He has a sharp mind for the text and he’s approached these heavy themes with immense sensitivity, curiosity and collaboration. He’s cultivated a rehearsal room where the whole cast feels completely held and safe to make bold offers and to ask difficult questions, which is vital for any project but especially when you’re excavating a text this rich and layered.
How do you approach shifting between stage work like this and your screen credits like Bodies and The New Look?
Joe Pitts: I think my approach as an actor is fairly mirrored between the two, but the situational and technical components are very different which you have to accept and embrace. My favourite component of theatre work is the company that’s formed and the work that’s embedded over a four-week rehearsal process. On set, you have to be prepared for the immediacy of the work and find a relaxation and freedom in that. Even for a space as intimate as Jermyn Street, you still have to meet the space without losing nuance, rather than treating the audience as an ultra-close-up lens.
Without giving too much away, what can audiences expect from this powerful staging of Ibsen’s classic drama?
Joe Pitts: Audiences should expect to go on a deeply immersive, fast-paced, emotional arc. The entire drama unfolds rapidly in a single location, where a carefully constructed facade completely crumbles away to reveal this family’s truth. As for what audiences will take away from the play, I’d love to leave that as open as possible!
Production: Ghosts
Playwright: Henrik Ibsen (in an adaptation by Richard Eyre)
Director: Kwame Owusu
Venue: Jermyn Street Theatre, London
Event Details: More Information
Starring: Joe Pitts (Bodies, The New Look) as Oswald
