An Enemy of the People

An Enemy of the People, by Henrik Ibsen
Adapted by Brad Birch
The University of Vermont
Directed by Sarah Carleton
Sound Design: Abra Clawson
Lighting Design: John Forbes
Set Design: Sara Nelson
Costume Design: Martin Thaler
Pictured: Vish Vijayakumar (Tom) and Eamon Lynch (Peter)

Originally presented in 1882 as an examination of political ambitions, moral integrity and personal/public perceptions of responsibility, this classic Ibsen play was recently adapted by Brad Birch in a version that is stunningly relevant to our current times. Set in modern day Norway, the core of the story remains the same – science vs. politics and truth vs. fabrication. Seeming as if it has been ripped from today’s headlines, An Enemy of the People has whistle blowers, confidential information leaked to the press, and a politician covering the scientific truth with their “alternative facts”.

This show, performed in the spring of 2021, was shown to a limited in-person audience as well as streamed for viewers at home.

Wanting to highlight the importance of the natural world to the characters in the play, the preshow began with a soundscape of of a river and some early spring birds. Leading up to the top of show, party sounds began to filter into the mix. Voices chatting and laughing, music playing in another room. These party sounds eventually took over the natural world, and then continued under the entirety of the first act. Later transitions also relied on the sounds of wind and water, in addition to low percussion to drive the momentum of the play forward. In Act II Scene VI, the sounds of cars passing on the road could be heard in addition to the nearby sounds of the forest.

An inspiration playlist, which includes the songs running under the party in Act I, can be found here.