Doctor Who, The Crown Star Matt Smith Says Town Hall Segment of West End Play A

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A key audience participation segment of the London West End adaptation of Henrik Ibsen‘s 1882 play “An Enemy of the People” left people in tears, star Matt Smith told the BBC.

In “An Enemy of the People,” when Dr. Stockmann (Smith) makes an unbelievable discovery about the healing waters in his local baths, he holds the future of the town in his hands, but those with everything to lose refuse to accept his word. The battle soon goes beyond contaminated water. 

Shortly after the play’s interval, the house lights come on and the audience is invited to ask questions about the play’s central theme. About the unscripted segment, in the style of a town hall, the “Doctor Who” and “The Crown” star said he has witnessed audience arguments, walk-outs and tears, per the BBC.

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“The idea of the audience being able to participate has always appealed to me,” Smith told the BBC. “I really want people to come and engage, put their hands up and say whatever they want to.”

“There is a sort of universality to it that stands the test of time,” Smith said about the relevance of the 1882 play in contemporary times. “How do you quantify it? Who’s telling the truth? If you’re undermining it, does it then dilute it?”

The play has been adapted numerous times for the stage and screen. This adaptation was originally in the German language by Thomas Ostermeier and Florian Borchmeyer and it is the first time it is being performed in English. Ostermeier’s version, conceived and directed by Ostermeier, originally produced at Schaubühne Berlin, was previously performed at London’s Barbican in 2014. The revival, also directed by Ostermeier, is at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre.

Ostermeier told the BBC that his intention was to “promote the idea of how important it is to speak up and even though there are different forces that will try to silence you, you need courage to speak up.”

“An Enemy of the People” is produced by David Binder Productions and Wessex Grove. The cast also includes Jessica Brown Findlay, Priyanga Burford, Zachary Hart, Paul Hilton, Nigel Lindsay and Shubham Saraf. It plays at the Duke of York’s Theatre through April 13.

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