The title role of Henrik Ibsen’s play Hedda Gabler has challenged actresses ever since the Norwegian dramatist wrote it in 1890. From the first Hedda, Clara Heese, to modern legends of the stage, including Dames Diana Rigg and Maggie Smith, plenty have had a crack at the part.

Rosamund Pike, who made her name in the Bond film Die Another Day and gave an acclaimed performance in 2009’s hit film An Education, is the latest actress to make her mark on Ibsen’s creation in a production, also starring Robert Glenister and Tim McInnerny, that is heading for Richmond Theatre next week.

She says following in the illustrious footsteps of her predecessors has been made easier by the fact that she is new to the play.

“I had never read it or seen it but you think it will be quite a good part when the character’s name is the title of the play,” she says.

“The thing about these roles is that they are such amazing creations that they are big enough to be inhabited by all of these amazing people.

“I don’t know if the way I play it is similar to anyone else but she is a big enough character so she can be very different in different productions, which is exciting.”

In Hedda Gabler, Pike’s character returns from her honeymoon already bored with her marriage and she soon finds herself caught between the brilliant academic Eilert Loevborg and the predatory Judge Brack.

It is a story which is, according to Pike, “propelled by envy” and she is portraying Hedda as a throughly modern woman trapped in an old fashioned world.

“I like the fact that there is a female in a classical play who is so irreverent and masculine,” she adds.

“She plays with guns, drinks and smokes and I think she is deeply frustrated at being expected to do the things women normally do.

“A lot of people say Hedda is frigid but I think she has an incredibly powerful sexuality.”

Some may be put off by the thought of going to an Ibsen play as his reputation for solemnity often proceeds him, yet Pike says that this production, directed by Adrian Noble, aims to draw out the comedy alongside the play’s weighty themes and they have found an audience who have responded postively to this approach.

“We have been packed out on the tour, so there must be people who have had good experiences,” she says.

“It is a very funny play – we find with audiences that they come and think they are going to be watching something very serious and then the first joke comes and there is a light laugh and suddenly they realise it’s OK to be laughing.”

Hedda Gabler, Richmond Theatre, March 15-20. For more information and to book tickets, visit ambassadortickets.com