Doctor Thomas Stockmann discovers that the healing water in his hometown is contaminated with toxic microorganisms, the result of a pipe that runs through an industrial area.

When he seeks to make the discovery public, the doctor runs into problems. Support from local decision-makers evaporates, and aspersions are cast on Stockmann’s intentions. But he insists that the public learn about the contamination. Even in spite of the financial repercussions that it may have for the city’s economic health.

Stockmann’s idealism grows as the opposition increases, and finally he is willing to sacrifice everything to reveal the truth.

In Ibsen’s 1882 drama, we move between intelligence and fanaticism. What chance does the truth have in a commercialised society?

This production of An Enemy of the People is currently on a world tour, and this is the third time that Thomas Ostermeier stages a performance at the Royal Danish Theatre with an Ibsen production. Previous years saw his productions of A Doll’s House and Hedda Gabler at Stærekassen in 2004 and 2006 respectively.

The production is performed in German with Danish subtitles.