Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander is set to return to the stage for the first time in 17 years, starring in a new West End adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea. The production, directed and reimagined by Simon Stone, will run for eight weeks at London’s Bridge Theatre beginning 10 September. It marks Vikander’s first appearance in UK theatre and her first time performing live as an adult.
From Screen Icon to Stage Return
Known for her standout performances in Ex Machina, Tomb Raider, and The Danish Girl—for which she won an Academy Award—Vikander says she’s “thrilled” yet “daunted” by the prospect of stepping back into live theatre. Her last on-stage role was as a teenager in Sweden, where she began her artistic journey in dance and youth theatre before transitioning to international film stardom.
“It’s my first time on stage as an adult,” Vikander told BBC News. “Obviously, I want to make sure people get their ticket money’s worth! But I’m really excited.”
Vikander, now 36, said the stage has always held a special place in her heart. Raised by her mother, stage actress Maria Fahl, Vikander recalls theatre as her first inspiration and original career goal before film took precedence.
A Nordic Classic Reimagined
The new production of Ibsen’s 1888 play will see Vikander in the role of Ellida, the sea-obsessed daughter of a lighthouse-keeper. Married to a Norwegian doctor, Ellida faces an emotional and existential crisis when a mysterious former lover—a sailor—returns, prompting her to reconsider her past and her future.
Andrew Lincoln, best known for The Walking Dead, joins the cast alongside Vikander. The play also introduces the character Hilde Wangel, who later appears in Ibsen’s The Master Builder, currently also showing in the West End with Ewan McGregor.
Simon Stone’s Vision
Director and playwright Simon Stone, known for his radical reinterpretations of classical works such as Yerma, Medea, and Phaedra, brings his signature contemporary edge to this adaptation. His past stage work has received critical acclaim for its emotional clarity and modern sensibility, making him a fitting match for this project.
“He once again is going to take a classic and reinvent it,” Vikander said. “It kind of felt like a perfect match—Scandinavian story, modern lens.”
The script is currently in development, with workshop sessions beginning in the coming weeks. While the setting has not yet been confirmed, Vikander noted that she’s excited to explore what direction Stone will take. Previous UK adaptations have relocated the narrative to different time periods and geographies—such as a 1950s Caribbean version performed at the Donmar Warehouse in 2017.
Personal Resonance and Universal Themes
For Vikander, the story of Ellida resonates deeply with her own life and experiences. She reflected on the inner conflicts faced by women throughout history—torn between duty, desire, and societal expectations.
“I think it’s an extremely human thing—to wonder what would’ve happened if you had made another choice. Women have historically been held back from doing so,” she said. “These are still the big universal questions we’re asking today.”
She added that the emotional and psychological themes explored in Ibsen’s work remain remarkably relevant in contemporary society, especially for women navigating motherhood, ambition, and personal identity.
Excitement and Anticipation
While it’s billed as her UK stage debut, Vikander pointed out that it’s her first theatrical role of any kind since her teenage years in Sweden. Her passion for theatre—fostered during years spent watching her mother rehearse—has remained close to her, even as she’s built a global film career.
“I can’t wait to try and do it myself,” she said. “It’s daunting, but it feels like the right moment. I’ve been waiting for this.”
Tickets for The Lady from the Sea at the Bridge Theatre go on sale this summer, with performances scheduled from 10 September for an eight-week limited run. For Vikander and fans alike, it promises to be a landmark theatrical homecoming—and a bold new chapter in the actress’s career.
