The Hong Kong Federation of Drama Societies will stage Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" in the Reader's Theatre style in March. Directed by Luther Fung, the performances will feature veteran actors Chung King-fai and Man Tsz-leung.
 
     "An Enemy of the People" centres on the government of a coastal Norwegian town investing substantially in a spa project. The spa is presented as highly therapeutic and a major tourists' attraction that will bring prosperity to the town. Mayor Peter Stockmann is proud of this project, but his younger brother, Dr Thomas Stockmann, sees it differently – the town's leather factory might pollute the spa's water source and cause severe diseases. The Mayor does not want to publicise the issue, nor is he ready to accept the solution proposed by Dr Stockmann. Inevitably, further conflicts arise. Citizens who believe the spa will make them rich refuse to accept Dr Stockmann's views, and his former friends and allies now point fingers at him. Townsmen hold a democratic poll, the results of which name Dr Stockmann as an enemy of the people.
 
     The Reader's Theatre style frees the performers and the audience from conventional theatre's limitations. Without standard stage sets or costumes, actors will read Ibsen's scripts to enhance audience appreciation and understanding. In addition to Chung and Man, other actors will include Patra Au, Lawrence Lau, Henry Fong, Yu Hon-ting, Guthrie Yip , Mary Lee, Johnson Yu, Barry Chan, Ruby Chu, Albert Ngai and Cheung Yu-tung.
 
     "Reader's Theatre - An Enemy of the People" (in Cantonese) is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be held at 7.30pm on March 10 and 11 (Friday and Saturday) and at 2.15pm on March 11 and 12 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Black Box Theatre of Tai Po Civic Centre. Post-performance talk (in Cantonese) will be held after each session of Reader's Theatre. The director and actors will share their views with the audiences on Ibsen's works. Tickets priced at $160 (free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/theatre/programs_153.html.

Ends/Friday, January 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:00

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