This play addresses the irrational tendencies of the masses, and the hypocritical and corrupt nature of the political system that they support. It is the story of one brave man’s struggle to do the right thing and speak the truth in the face of extreme social intolerance.
Play title: An Enemy of the People
Author (s): Henrik Ibsen (translated by Rolf Fjelde)
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Publication Date: 1965
Genre: Drama
Primary Discipline: Environmental
Scientist (s): Fictional
Source Texts: Unknown
Character Breakdown: 9 Men, 2 Women, Ensemble
Dr. Thomas Stockmann, Mrs. Stockmann, Petra, Eilif, Morten, Peter Stockmann, Morten Kill, Hovstad, Billing, Captain Horster, Aslaksen, Participants in a public meeting
Setting: A coastal town in southern Norway
Time Period: 19th Century
Synopsis of Play: This play addresses the irrational tendencies of the masses, and the hypocritical and corrupt nature of the political system that they support. It is the story of one brave man’s struggle to do the right thing and speak the truth in the face of extreme social intolerance. The play’s protagonist, Dr Stockmann, represents the playwright’s own voice. (play text cover blurb, Samuel French)
First Performance Date: January 13th, 1883
First Producer: Christiania
Performance History: An Enemy of the People was first performed in Christiania on January 13th, 1883. The London premiere was on June 14th, 1893 at the Haymarket, with Herbert Beerbohm Tree as Stockmann, in a production that later went on tour to America. An Enemy of the People was staged by the Moscow Art Theatre in 1900, and was the first Ibsen play to be staged by the Comédie Française — but not until 1921. Outside London, the play is frequently staged — notably at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 1975, with Donald Sinden as Dr Stockmann. http://www.mckellen.com/stage/enemyla/production.htm
Links:
http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/review-an-enemy-of-the-people-10203289
Entered by: Meaghan Yesford
Photo/Visual Research with citations
Christiania, January 13th, 1883 Manhattan Theatre Club, September 2012
BAM Harvey Theater, November 2013
