☆★★★★ An Enemy of the People
Arthur Miller’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the
People opens The Phil Willmott Company’s fourth season of Essential Classics at
London’s Union Theatre.
Initially written by Henrik Ibsen in 1882 and then adapted by the
American playwright in the 1950s, Miller’s An Enemy of the People hasn’t been
staged professionally in London for nearly 30 years. Miller brings razor-sharp psychological
precision to Ibsen’s timely thriller about a rebel scientist fighting to expose
a corrupt regime and press.
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| David Mildon and Mary Stewart |
Set now in Kersten Spring in small town America, An Enemy of the
People tells the story of Doctor Stockman who wants to save his town by
stopping the opening of the new spring, having found the water to be
contaminated. Simple premise, until you are threatening the economic stability
and growth of the town and your sister is Mayor Stockmann, who will do
anything, in concert with the local newspaper and dignitaries, to stop the spread
of this bad news.
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| Emily Byrt and David Mildon |
Democracy, corruption, family, friendship and loyalty are all in
the mix in Phil Willmott’s stylish, elegant, challenging and clever production.
David Mildon, conflicted, tortured but ultimately honourable as Dr Stockmann
and Mary Stewart, single-minded, determined but ultimately corrupt as Mayor
Stockmann are fascinating to watch as their characters develop to the critical
denouement, where both characters brilliantly portray a form of questionable
madness. However, above all, An Enemy of the People benefits from a radiant
ensemble, with standout performances from Jed Shardlow as Hovstad as the
conflicted journalist and Emily Byrt as Dr Stockmann’s wife, Catherine.
 |
| Angelo Leal, Jed Shardlow and Mary Stewart |
Mention must also be given to Nicola Chang’s smart, appropriate
and seriously atmospheric sound design and Justin Williams and Jonny Rust’s
skeletal set beautifully conveys the beginning of the Spring development, while
easily transforming into the setting for the menacing public meeting with the
audience cleverly making up the baying crowd.
Seemingly London will be engrossed with work by Arthur Miller
with productions opening at the Old Vic, Young Vic and Wyndham's Theatre over the next few months.
However, time waits for no man, and a visit to Phil Willmott’s stylishly compelling
production is a must.
Photos by Scott Rylander
Photos by Scott Rylander
at Sasha Regan’s Union Theatre over the next three months and
runs until 2 February 2019
Evening performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm
Matinée performances: 26th January & 2nd February at
2:00pm
Standard Tickets: from 8th January: £22.00, concessions £20, Under 18 £15 and 3 show saver tickets £50.
From 6th February – 9th March 2019Standard Tickets: from 8th January: £22.00, concessions £20, Under 18 £15 and 3 show saver tickets £50.
CAN-CAN! – a new musical of Orpheus in the Paris underworld
Music by Jacques Offenbach and his contemporaries
Book by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero
Freely adapted, with lyrics by Phil Willmott
Choreography by Adam Haigh
A fun and frivolous new musical adapted from Offenbach’s operetta
‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ featuring the larger than life performers of the
Moulin Rouge who scandalised Paris in the 1800s. The newly arranged score
features a treasure trove of gorgeous melodies by Offenbach, Lehár and others,
culminating in the famous Can-Can itself.
Matinée performances: Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30pm
Ticket price: 6th
February – 10th February £15
Tickets from 12th February: £22.50, concessions £20, Under 18 £15 and 3 show saver tickets £50.
Tickets from 12th February: £22.50, concessions £20, Under 18 £15 and 3 show saver tickets £50.
Ticket Link: http://www.uniontheatre.biz/can-can.html
OTHELLO – Jealousy, passion and revenge
By William Shakespeare
A bold and audacious new staging of Shakespeare’s classic thriller in
which the General Othello and his new wife, Desdemona are psychologically tortured
and destroyed by a jealous, subordinate, Iago.
A free Q&A with the director and cast is
available for student and group bookings by arrangement
Evening performances: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Matinée performances: 24th March, 31st March and 6th April
at 2.30pm
Ticket price: 13th March – 16th March £15Tickets from 19th March: £22.50, concessions £20, Under 18 £15 and 3 show saver tickets £50.
Ticket Link: http://www.uniontheatre.biz/othello.html
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