The former star of Doctor Who, Matt Smith, is set to return to the London stage in February 2024. He will feature in the English-language immersive adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's 1882 drama An Enemy of the People. This much-anticipated performance, directed by renowned German director Thomas Ostermeier, will run for two months at the Duke of York's Theatre, from February 6 to April 6.
About An Enemy of the People
In An Enemy of the People, Smith plays Dr. Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer who discovers a disturbing fact about poisoned waters in his local baths. Motivated by his moral obligation to defend the health of the town's citizens, Stockmann plans to disclose the truth in a newspaper article and petition the municipal council to reroute the water lines. However, he quickly finds himself up against tremendous opposition from those who stand to lose the most, as the spa town's success depends on the baths. Despite this opposition, Stockmann refuses to be silenced and is declared a public enemy.
Matt Smith is ecstatic to be a part of this production and praises director Thomas Ostermeier's fresh approach to theatre. He expressed his excitement at Ostermeier's interest in bringing Ibsen's An Enemy of the People to the British stage, calling it "an honour" to work on such a unique production. Ostermeier stressed the play's relevance in light of the worldwide impact of climate change.
Matt Smith's Return to Stage and Screen
Matt Smith returns to the stage after a two-year absence, having appeared in Lungs at the Old Vic in 2019. Since then, he's built a reputation for himself in film, with appearances in Last Night in Soho, The Forgiven, and Morbius. Smith has also appeared on television as Daemon Targaryen in HBO's series House of the Dragon, as well as playing the Eleventh Doctor in BBC's Doctor Who and the Duke of Edinburgh in Netflix's acclaimed series The Crown.
An Enemy of the People has been adapted for theatre and screen multiple times. However, this English-language performance is notable because it brings Ostermeier's version to the London stage for the first time. Ostermeier's adaptation drew notice for its unconventional method, which had audience members participating in a live debate on the play's key ideas, creating a captivating and immersive experience.
An Enemy of the People aims to engage spectators with its contemporary issues and Matt Smith's extraordinary skill under Thomas Ostermeier's direction. The show will premiere on February 6, 2024, at London's Duke of York Theatre.
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