Arthur MillerIbsen wrote the play in 1882. It concerns a town in Norway where the town doctor discovers that the 'healing springs', that attract crowds of sick people to the area, have been polluted by the waste from a factory owned by his wife's father. He plans to publish an article in the local paper about this and the fact that the waters are toxic. This would potentially make a huge difference in the town's prosperity which relies heavily on ill people coming for the waters. At first he has support from the editors of the local newspaper, but as time goes by they, and everyone else in the town turn against him and try to make him write that he was mistaken about the poisoning of the waters so the business of the town will not be affected. In the end he and his family are ostracized, with stones being thrown through their windows and death threats.
Henrik IbsenIn Arthur Miller's 1950 adaptation, as presented last night, I found myself strangely unable to feel involved in the drama. The original cast included the likes of Frederick March, Florence Eldrige, and Rod Steiger. That's a pretty strong set of actors to follow.
I think Miller should have left the time period of the play where Ibsen put it; in the 1880's. It is very difficult to change periods with certain theatre works and make them viable. I remember a production of Carmen where Lorraine sang the title role where the smugglers in Act 2 were a motorcycle gang in black leather jackets. It didn't work either.
Last night's cast, directed by Julianne Boyd, attempted to wring every drop of drama out of Miller's work, but, for me at least, I could not feel involved.
