The play opens in the study at Hakon Werle's house during a dinner party for the return of Werle's son, Gregers, from the Hoidal mines. Gregers has not come home for fifteen years. Old Ekdal appears before two servants, begging to be let into the office. Ekdal was an army officer and partner to Werle until a forestry scandal sent him to prison over some scandal. He now works as one of Werle's copyists.
Henki Kolstad
Wenche Foss
Lars Nordrum
Kjersti Dalbye
Ola Isene
Hans Stormoen
Erik Lassen
Else Heiberg
Tore Foss
Egil Hjorth-Jenssen
Oscar Egede-Nissen
Erik Melbye Brekke
Kaare Gundersen
Sverre Wilberg