Kolkata, Feb 17 (IANS): Theatre enthusiasts in the eastern metropolis are in for a treat Feb 21 as the acclaimed Schaubuhne production company from Germany comes to the city with its bold adaptation of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's play centred on drinking water contamination.
Led by artistic director Thomas Ostermeier, the ensemble production from Berlin is known for experimenting with new styles and bold interpretations in the current context.
The theatre company will stage Ibsen's iconic 'Enemy of The People' at the Kala Mandir auditorium here, according to a Max Mueller Bhavan Kolkata release.
The play has been adapted by Florian Borchmeyer and is directed by Ostermeier. The play is subtitled in English and audience interaction will be in English too.
Ibsen's 1882 play explores the potential for transparency in a commercial society.
The protagonist, medical officer Thomas Stockmann discovers that the source of drinking and spa water is riddled with pathogenic micro-organisms, caused by industrial effluence.
Stockmann wants to publish the findings in the newspaper and demand that the city council reroute the water pipes. Influential citizens and local journalists promise their support. However, his brother Peter, the mayor, raises some serious concerns: the economic prosperity of the spa town will be threatened.
Suddenly the support for Stockmann from the town's policymakers begins to wane. Ibsen's drama wavers on a fine line between honesty and fanaticism.