A NEW production of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, adapted by Bryony Lavery, opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Tuesday.

Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, the play stars Tara Fitzgerald as Nora, a loving, loyal wife and wonderful mother whose husband has just landed a job which gives the family financial security.

On the surface things couldn't be better, but a REP spokesman explains: "Characters from the past enter the cheerful family home and as the brutal world bears down, an intense struggle develops between love and truth, honour and betrayal and finally between a desperate husband and his once-innocent wife."

Ms Fitzgerald's theatre credits include an award-winning performance as Ophelia in Hamlet with Ralph Fiennes and TV and film credits include Brassed Off, Hear My Song and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

Playing the part of Nora's domineering husband Torvald Helmer is Tom Goodman-Hill, who can be seen as Sanderson Reed in the film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

The cast also includes Jane Gurnett, Peter Guinness, Richard Clothier, Petra Markham and Maisie Dimbleby.

Bryony Lavery's new adaptation has updated the play. She said: "I've stayed as close to the original as possible but brought out a more modern feel to the story. All the characters are quite sexy Scandinavians who, despite experiencing horrible, painful situations, still have a sense of humour about themselves."

It plays in the REP's Main House until February 14. To book tickets, call 0121 236 4455 or visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk