By Carol Davis
ENCINITAS, California–You don’t have to be politically astute to understand the goings on in An Enemy Of the People. You just have to open a newspaper today and read about this country being torn apart by the political schism that is being ramped up by a few loud, narrow minded and hypocritical voices who want everything their own way regardless of the ultimate effect it may have on the rest of society.
Enemy is a timeless play originally written by Henrik Ibsen in 1881 and adapted by Arthur Miller in 1950. Miller was called as a witness to testify during the McCarthy witch-hunt hearings. Miller’s adaptation of the Ibsen play personifies what it was like living through mob rule, persecution and the run away train called Joseph McCarthy.
The McCarthy hearings left a black mark against this country when the U.S. Congress targeted the entertainment industry and literally accused members of that community of having Communist leanings. Friends turned against friends, colleagues turned against their own and decent people were blacklisted and forced to give up or go underground in pursuit of their careers.
The core conflict in An Enemy Of The People revolves around the new project in Riverton, Maine, where private and public monies were invested in a spa and baths. It is April 1954 just as the Senate was censuring McCarthy by a vote of 67 to 22 ending his career. Although the location of the spa was questionable, building it went on as usual and it became a source of local pride.
According to the Mayor, Peter Stockmann (Eric Poppick), the ‘Spa’ and springs will revitalize Riverton and in no time the town will become known nationwide bringing visitors by the dozens from all over. This in turn will be putting those in need of employment to work, thereby putting more money into the town’s coffers, thereby earning more dividends to those investors. A win, win for everyone or so it seems.
If this sounds too good to be true, listen up. The Mayor’s brother, the town’s doctor, Dr. Thomas Stockmann (Matt Scott), has done some research on the project because an unusual number of the town’s folk have become sick. Findings from an independent lab indicate that the water running throughout the Spa is contaminated. The spa is located just below the tannery where the runoff water from the tannery is toxic. The tannery, we later learn is owned by Morten Kiil, Catherine’s (Brenda Dodge) foster-father, (Antonio TJ Johnson).
The good doctor cheerfully brings the news home to his wife, Catherine and their schoolteacher daughter Polly (Erin Petersen). He is ready to send the findings to the newspaper. He is jubilant about his findings because he was always of the mind that the spa should have been built elsewhere. He proposes to move it to a new location not clearly understanding the implications of such a suggestion. He’s ready to spread the word through the local press.
The publisher, Anderson (Danny Campbell) along with editor, Hovstad and junior editor, Billing (Brian Mackey and Robert Bitter) is more than happy to publish the doctor’s findings since they claim to be down with the truth. They go back and fourth supporting what they think will be the most beneficial to their newspaper.
When his brother, the Mayor, hears about the assault on the town’s project he is furious! Realizing that he cannot put the skids on the doctor, who thinks he will be heralded as a saint when the news gets out, the Mayor organizes an offensive on his brother and family, including threats to his job, his home and his livelihood. The mayor and soon the newspaper turn the citizens into an army of jeering, heckling hoodlums. Only Captain Horster (Sean Cox), somewhat of an outsider, who is ready to stand by Stockmann no matter what. As a result, he is fired from his ship.
Soon mass hysteria based on false accusations and lies about the doctor turns the community on its head. The very same leaders who brought this plan to fruition have no compunction about doing their dirty business as usual. By using the same political tactics as mob rule to gain a leg up and put the culprit (Dr. Stockmann) on notice that he is on the wrong side of the issue, reason and or truth be damned they capture the upper hand and in just a matter of time the cancer spreads.
Intrepid Shakespeare Company, situated in the brand new theatre Performing Arts Center on the campus of San Dieguito Academy, has done such a fine job defining this modern drama that missing it would be doing yourselves a disservice. (It will be closing this weekend). With the opening of its 2012 season, the company is off on the right foot with this politically charged and relevant subject matter.
Co directed by Christy Yael and Sean Cox and with a talented and well blended ensemble An Enemy Of The People rolls out like a current TV Docudrama on “truth in advertising” or perhapsa KPBS Special on say, ‘tainted water flows in the face of adversity’ or ‘Bask in the salts of rejuvenation at your own risk’!
Matt Scott’s arc from jubilation to despair is a blend of early satisfaction coupled with troubled confusion when faced with the ‘only’ truth and that is that he is dead on arrival after his powerful brother gets done with him. His tenderness toward his family is in sharp contrast with his moment on the docks where he makes his final pitch at a town meeting, to the good citizens of Riverton only to be shouted down by the mob. One almost wants to cry out from the audience, “Listen to this man!” But it is he who says that ‘the strongest man is the man who stands alone.”
Eric Poppick is perfect as the swaggering and cocky mayor rotten to the core and willing to poison an entire community for the sake of his political career. Brenda Dodge is the faithful wife; always knowing her place and Antonio TJ Johnson is the mystery man of the hour who owns several tanneries. He has the money to buy up all the now below dollar value (sounds like the housing industry and the banks) spa shares and give them to his adoptive daughter and family. Kinda looks fishy to some. Johnson is a commanding presence holding the trump cards with a twinkle in his eye as if this was the plan all the time.
Newspapermen Brian Mackey and Robert Biter are like Heckel and Jeckel bouncing back and forth siding with any group that looks to be on the winning side of the argument and Erin Peterson is wonderful as the trusting and loyal daughter. Danny Campbell is perfect as the man of moderation, but we know better and Aidan Hayek is believable as the Doctor’s young son who sadly becomes another target for the angry and out-of-hand mob to vent their anger on.
Brian Redfern’s set is sound and loyal to the Maine landscape. Christopher Renda’s lighting design works throughout. They only annoyance is Adam Brick’s sound design. The mob scenes work well and some of the snippets from Edward R. Murrow’s radio cast are on target but the choice of music coming from the ‘50’s green and cream radio (I had a Chevy those colors) was too scratchy and ear piercing.
Overall Enemy Of The People is another one of those gems that needs an airing more often than not especially in these times of ugly politics. Unfortunately we don’t need mob scenes any more. Huge amounts of money can spread lies across the airwaves like wildfire and cause as much consternation as any mob could in the past. But now the masses wring their collective hands while their voices are silent or made silent by the bullies and leaders who wield the power.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: through Feb. 19th
Organization: Intrepid Shakespeare Company
Phone: 760-652-5011
Production Type: Drama
Where: San Dieguito Academy, 800 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas 92024
Ticket Prices: $25.00-$22.00
Web: intrepidshakespeare.com
Venue: Clayton E. Liggett Theatre
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Davis is a theatre critic based in San Diego. She may be contacted at carol.davis@sdjewishworld.com