Enemy of the People

Duke of York’s Theatre, 27/02/24

Credit: Manuel Harlan

Final rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ibsen’s plays are often divisive, sometimes long, and usually quite old fashioned. This imagination bucks that trend, with a refreshingly modern revamp and significantly edited and cut script – plus the addition of Matt Smith bringing a vibrant passion to the title role of Dr Stockmann.

The overarching mission of the production is to challenge the audience, culminating in a moment of interaction that entirely broke down the fourth wall. After an impassioned speech about the perils of liberalism from Smith, the audience are asked to raise their hands if they agreed with the views just heard. Then, microphones are passed around and the audience is invited to explain WHY they agreed with the speech, only to have those views challenged and shut down by Aslaksen, a printer at the local paper with a self-declared interest in property and landlords. It was quite a brilliant and tense back-and-forth, and very immersive.

The second half becomes a paint fight, and by the end Smith is drenched from head to toe, which I thought was a neat way to illustrate protest and his descent into the role of ‘public enemy’.

Something also needs to be said for the simplistic set; effectively chalk boards acting as walls, which were used genuinely to indicate changes in location and scenes by the actors writing on them in chalk during transitions. Paul Hilton as Stockmann’s brother, Peter, was absolutely terrific (and this is the second Ibsen play I’ve watched him in) – a fantastic sparring partner where both men railed against each other to create some convincing family tension.

There was an adulterous kiss between Hovstad and Katharina that seemed significant, but it was swiftly glossed over and never mentioned again. In my ignorance I don’t know whether that’s a flaw in the original script or in the cutting that took place – but it was the only moment of the whole play that felt clumsy.

Zachary Hart was a scene stealer – with a wonderful performance as Billing, whose character went on a comedic journey to become Peter Stockman’s advisor. His facial expressions and mannerisms felt both in character and comically over the top, in a wonderfully hilarious equilibrium.

I was glad to see a very reduced script, with the production chuntering on at a great pace. One of the best Ibsen adaptations I’ve seen.