Famous Last Words stages contemporary adaptation of Ibsen’s ‘Enemy of the People’

The Adelaide-based independent theatre company Famous Last Words has produced a contemporary adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s 19th-century play, ‘An Enemy of the People’. Directed and adapted by James Watson, the production condenses the original five-act play into a single-act, 80-minute performance.

The production features a young ensemble cast and utilizes immersive staging techniques, such as having performers move through the audience and involving viewers in town hall-style scenes. The story follows Dr. Thomas Stockmann as he attempts to whistleblow regarding bacterial contamination in public baths, only to face opposition from political leaders and journalists.

Critics note that the play’s themes of civic responsibility, economic anxiety, and the clash between public interest and political self-interest remain highly relevant, drawing parallels to contemporary local issues in Adelaide.