Friends and Foes

Henrik Ibsen (pictured left) is not necessarily thought of as a "political" playwright but, in fact, his works created so much scandal in his homeland of Norway that he spend the majority of his productive years "in exile" living in Italy and Germany.

Why?  Because Ibsen (1828-1906) dared write about the foibles, the mores, the morality of everyday people as well as the divisiveness of the government and the church.  In the space of 25 years (1867-1892), he wrote 12 plays, 7 of which are considered to be among the finest of the 19th Century (including "Peer Gynt", "A Doll's House", and "Ghosts.")  In reaction to the savage reviews for "Ghost" in 1881, a year later he produced "An Enemy of the People", a play set in a small Norwegian town that has just begun to win fame and wealth as a result of its medicinal spring waters. Unfortunately, resident physician Dr. Thomas Stockmann discovers that the water is actually poisoned. When he tries to tell the townspeople, the Mayor, who happens to be his brother, does his best to discredit the good doctor.  The Mayor scares the people into believing he would have to tax them heavily to repair the damage caused by the original error in designing the mechanisms that bring the water to town. The play, adapted by Arthur Miller during the McCarthy era, criticizes short-sighted politicians, the media, and the mob mentality.

The Teen Repertory Company of Oddfellows Playhouse just began its 5-performance run of "An Enemy of the People" tonight (3/31).  Directed by Missy Burmeister, the cast started slowly but the energy soon picked up, buoyed by several of the lead characters. By the end of the first act, the play had become riveting.  An indictment of corporate greed and the half-truths that people believe as "gospel", the work makes one uneasy, especially in the light of nuclear mishaps, mortgage scandals, and governments run by special interests.

Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (4/1, 2, 8, and 9) at 7:30 p.m. on the OP Main Stage, 128 Washington Street.  Call 860-347-6143 for tickets.  For more information, go to www.oddfellows.org.