DORCHESTER Drama tackles one of the masterpieces of the great Norwegian dramatist, Henrik Ibsen, An Enemy of the People, updated and reimagined from 1882 to 2009. The group’s autumn production is at the Corn Exchange on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

The performers are having fun with the generally serious and dark Ibsen, and they didn’t quite expect that! The new version of this powerful social drama has been updated by director Martin Stephen, setting it in a spa-tourism town that is struggling to keep afloat in the wake of the financial crash.

The medical officer at the baths thinks the waters might be toxic – but should he go public with this knowledge which would have devastating economic consequences? And how will his family, friends and the town react? Personal relations are tested to breaking point as idealism, pragmatism and ambition clash.

With its themes of courage, the failure of courage, environmental pollution and clashes in local politics, An Enemy of the People is as relevant as it ever was. The threat of an environmental cover-up splits the town, and the audience is challenged to question whether we should pursue the truth, at any cost.

The group was ready for deep and meaningful issues, but the actors having a good time too. Family disagreements lead to stand up arguments, dodgy characters get put in their place, and who is that rowdy drunk at the public meeting? DD are enjoying being loud, argumentative, and honing their heckling. All in all, it’s going to be a lively, thought provoking, and very entertaining production.

But, with its modern look, Ibsen’s timeless play resonates loudly with contemporary issues – toxic water, toxic culture and cancellation.

Rehearsal pictures show Colin Davidson as “the Drunk”, and Mike Staddon and Sean Colledge as Houghton and Billing; and Rob Sansom, Maisie Sansom and Alex Bratby as the Stockman family.