AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE ActNow Theatre For Social Change Ayers House Museum Until 21 Aug 2010 Review by John Wells Act Now Theatre for Social Change had me worried. This theatre company’s blurb in the programmegave the impression of serious, po-faced youngsters wanting to change the world through agitproptheatre. Such enthusiasm appeared ambitiously exhausting and perhaps naïve. But Act Now’s productionof Ibsen’s play is fresh, well-paced and highly entertaining. The action centres on Dr Thomas Stockmann, a doctor in a small Norwegian town. Dr Stockmann hasmade a discovery. The newly constructed baths, which are expected to bring great riches into the spatown, are contaminated. The waters that should provide restorative health are dangerous. DrStockmann brings this fact to his brother, the mayor, expecting solidarity, but encounters only rejectionand hostility. The mayor is astonished his well-meaning brother would endanger the town’s prosperityand orders him to ignore his research. Dr Stockmann clings to the truth as the town begins to turnagainst him. Act Now’s timing is exquisite: as we head towards an election where the major parties shy away fromreal policy debate, and where the great challenge of climate change is ignored, a play about the primacyof commercial interests and the dangers of truth-telling has immediate impact. Interestingly, “An Enemyof the People” also warns of the flaws of democracy, showing that public opinion is fickle and malleable. Director Edwin Kemp Atrill (mentored by playwright, Sean Riley) moves the action briskly and cleverlyjudges the tone well, never letting the serious intent of the play bog down the narrative. He knows thatthe humour in the text will make the political edge even sharper. The ensemble is impressive, althoughthere is – because of the youth of the players – the earnest atmosphere of a high school production.Guy O’Grady stands out as Dr Stockmann: he shows the complexity of his character – dogged, inspired,angry, but also with a whiff of martyr and madman. It is a commanding and thoroughly realisedportrayal which carries the play. Kurt Murray is implacably vile as the imperious mayor and Sarah Dunnbrings emotional depth as Dr Stockmann’s long-suffering wife. The setting – an ornate room in Ayers house – is perfect, and gives a sense of intimacy and fadingopulence. For a young company, this production is assured, confident and thought-provoking.