Matt Smith, known for playing Doctor Who in the eponymous BBC series and the Duke of Edinburgh in Netflix’s “The Crown” is returning to London’s West End.
Smith will headline an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 play “An Enemy of the People” at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre. “An Enemy of the People” revolves around Dr. Thomas Stockmann, a healthcare official entrusted with the duty of examining the communal baths, which hold the key to his spa hometown’s well-being. His investigation uncovers water contamination, and when he steadfastly refuses to remain silent, he is branded an enemy of the people. Smith will play Stockmann.
The play has been adapted numerous times for the stage and screen. This adaptation was originally in the German language by Thomas Ostermeier and it is the first time it will be performed in English. Ostermeier’s original version was previously performed at London’s Barbican in 2014.
Smith was last on stage in 2019, starring in “Lungs” at the Old Vic. He has since been in films “Last Night in Soho,” “The Forgiven” and “Morbius” and in series “House of the Dragon.”
“Thomas Ostermeier pushes the form and boundaries of theatre, I have been a fan for quite some time. Seeing his ‘Richard III’ with Lars Erdinger was electric,” Smith told the BBC. “When I heard he was interested in coming to the British stage for the first time, with Ibsen’s classic ‘An Enemy of the People,’ I was delighted to say the least. It is an honor to be able to work with him on this great play and become part of this unique project.”
Ostermeier added: “As we face the immediate impact of climate change and global warming, and our seeming incapacity to change these burning threats, Ibsen’s ‘An Enemy of the People’ is unfortunately more relevant than ever. This is an urgent reason to create an English version of the production for London, and I look forward to collaborating with Matt Smith, an actor whose body of work I greatly admire.”
“An Enemy of the People” opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on Feb. 6, 2024 and is expected to play for two months.
