Michael Cox reviews a ‘fantastically theatrical and constantly riveting’ production.
The timeliness of EIF’s presentation of A Trial—After An Enemy of the People is chillingly relevant.
As the title suggests, director Christiane Jatahy’s production is a reaction to Henrik Ibsen’s seminal play about a medical doctor’s attempt to do the right thing, and how his actions put him at loggerheads with his village, resulting in his downfall.
Jatahy’s production has taken some liberties. In a cheeky opening scene, the rules are established—the play is transposed to modern Brazil, even if the Norwegian names have been retained. And rather than watching the events unfold, this production sees Dr Stockmann on trial as to whether he is indeed “an enemy of the people” to the populace of his home village, with the events of the play presented as evidence to a jury made from members of the audience.
It’s a clever idea, one that works far better than many updated versions of classic plays. What’s also rather remarkable is that, though this is a reaction to one of the greatest plays of 19th century drama, one doesn’t need to know the original play. Perhaps audience members going in cold have an advantage—they aren’t prejudiced against whether it’s the doctor or the prosecutor/mayor (and brother of the accused) who is in the right.
To honour the integrity of the plot twists and how it uses Ibsen’s play as a discussion point, it’s best to report no more.
But what should be noted is the excellence that is onstage. Brilliantly performed by the ensemble, particularly by lead Wagner Moura—who is phenomenal as both Dr Stockmann and a de facto narrator—the production moves at a quick pace, finding both pathos and unexpected humour throughout. It’s well staged and has an interesting design concept—using a naturalistic office setting of desks and tables with office lighting while utilising multimedia visuals.
It is also a play with startling relevance. With all the revisionism happening about the COVID-19 pandemic, and keeping in mind that just last week Dr Anthony Fauci was himself put on a show trial before an angry congressional panel, this is not an unnecessary sequel but an important reaction to modern times, demonstrating a frightening juxtaposition between Ibsen’s world and ours.
With a running time of almost two-and-a-half hours but no interval, this could have been a slog. Instead, A Trial is fantastically theatrical and constantly riveting.
A Trial—After An Enemy of the People performs at the Lyceum Theatre as part of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival until 10 August 2026. For further details, go to the EIF’s website.
Photo by Jess Shurte.
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