"stark and powerful drama..."

August 21, 2003 performance reviewed by Pat Nichols

Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People, in an adaptation by Christopher Hampton at the Williamstown Theatre, staged in period settings and costumes, rings with contemporary issues, such as environmental concerns, torn family alliances, the power of the press and the place of government in regulating the lives of ordinary citizens.

Played out on a stage of worn flooring which appears to float, at once the home of the medical director of a popular spa, Dr. Stockton and his family, and again a meeting hall for debate or the office of the local newspaper. The set establishes the tone for the stark and powerful drama of Stockton's battle with his beloved home town whose mayor, Peter Stockman is his own brother.

As the tensions mount his own wife questions the effect of his commitment on their family. The editor of the local paper chooses not to publicize Dr. Stockton's findings about the quality of the waters that feed the much-touted health spa where the baths supposedly have acclaimed health benefits.

The first act, 57 minutes long, flies by as the conflicts mount between Stockton, the government, town fathers and residents. Tensions continue and increase again during the hour and 35 minute second act.

At first optimistic, then increasingly realistic about the chances that the town will install new equipment that will avoid the poisoned water now fed to the baths, touted as a healthful spa with curative powers. Despite the fraying of his allegiances with town and family, Dr. Stockton never wavers from his convictions.

Directed by Gerald Freedman who maintains a tight control on the pace of the action as Stockton loses the support he thought so certain.

Mandy Patinkin, as Doctor Thomas Stockton, brings all the passion possible to his role of the concerned Doctor, caught between what he knows as the honorable course of action and the opposition. "We are making our living by peddling filth," he cries. In a very physical role, he appears on stage almost continuously.

Larry Pine, as Peter Stockton, elaborates with conviction his own reasons why the information can't be made public lest it destroy the major asset of the town. He stresses "Those baths are the only chance for this town."

Anna Lee Jefferies, as Mrs. Stockton, shows support for her husband but also evokes her concern about the damage his plan and its potential alienation would create on their family, loss of income, loss of home.

Dana Powers Acheson, as her father's daughter, Petra, young but learned, bravely follows her father's arguments about the moral way to handle the poisoned water, unafraid to stand by his side.

T.Scott Cunningham, as Hovstad, the editor of the paper, attempts to walk the fine line between being the Liberal Press and not alienating his sources of revenue.

The cast performed uniformly well, making it hard to single out more than the major players.

Lighting by Mary Jo Dondlinger bathes the set in the softened natural light of another era, different but so much the same in the complexities of living an honorable life.

The set with it's large windows that reflect the action on stage and the machinery in the print shop beyond unites the elements working in the play.

This play offers no answers to complex problems of loyalty, honor, family allegiances and governmental intervention. Everyone believes in the validity of their view about morality.

Dr. Stockton, who becomes the enemy of the people, maintains his own integrity, alone at the end, but convinced: "The strongest man in the world is the one who stands alone."