Hedda Gabler - in pictures

Green Room award-winning director Adena Jacobs described Hedda Gabler as “a tragic drama” and although she doesn’t set out to shock anyone, she says she knows she’s on track if she feels fearful about the work. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied

Hedda Gabler (Ash Flanders) plays cat and mouse with Thea Elvsted (Anna Houston) in Belvoir’s new production. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied

Ash Flanders wore full make up including elaborately manicured nails when rehearsing Hedda Gabler. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied

Behind the scenes with Ash Flanders as Hedda Gabler. Flanders is one half of Melbourne theatre self-described queer independent theatre company Sisters Grimm. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied

Branden Christine plays the almost silent maid Berte, who casts a long shadow over the Tesman household. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied

Oscar Redding plays the tormented Eijlert Lovborg who matches wits but not ambitions with Hedda. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied

Marcus Graham is the cruel, cunning and utterly charming Brack who holds Hedda Gabler’s fate in his hands. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied

Neither Tesman (Tim Walter) or Aunt Julie (Lynette Curran) are any match for Hedda Gabler in full flight. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied

Tim Walter as the newlywed Tesman who has Hedda’s hand in marriage but not her heart or her mind. Photograph: Brett Boardman/Supplied