Theatergoers arriving at a performance of “An Enemy of the People” at Circle in the Square Theatre
A performance of the new Broadway revival of Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People” was interrupted by protesters who shouted “no theater on a dead planet.”
In the play, a man dares to expose an unpalatable truth publicly and is punished for doing so.
The production, which stars Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli, was brought to a halt during a major scene set in a town hall scene in which some audience members were seated onstage and some of the actors were seated among the audience members.
“I object to the silencing of scientists,” a protestor said to the audience. “I am very, very sorry to interrupt your night and this amazing performance.”
The protestor continued his soliloquy, warning of impending environmental chaos as members of the cast pushed back.
The protest took place before a sold-out crowd at the 828-seat Circle in the Square theater. It apparently confused some theatergoers, who initially thought it was part of the play. While the play was written by Ibsen in 1882, the current version, an adaptation by Amy Herzog, has been described by some as having thematic echoes of the climate change crisis.
“You need to leave, you’re interrupting,” Imperioli said. Strong, meanwhile, stayed in character saying: “Let them speak.”
As the protestor was escorted to the exit he shouted one final declaration: “No theatre on a dead planet!”
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
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