The Scandinavian House in cooperation with the Petr Bezruč Theatre put on the stage Henrik Ibsen’s play An Enemy of the People as a part of the Nordic Theatre Evenings project on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Expert on Nordic theatre Karolína Stehlíková will introduce you to the work of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen and the circumstances surrounding the creation of his still-relevant play, which confused audiences and critics alike when it was first performed, in the form of an introductory lecture. The performance will be followed by a debate with director Jan Holec, dramaturgist Peter Galdík, actor Lukáš Melník, and Karolína Stehlíková. Moderated by Barbara Gregorová.
What is the price of truth?
Dr. Stockmann claims that the healing springs in the new municipal baths are actually harmful to health. The water has been infected with bacteria and the entire piping system will need to be replaced. But who will pay for it? And who will compensate for the lost profits? Does the doctor want to cure us or bury us? Is he with us or against us? The problems have a clear cause and a clear solution, yet we are unable to move forward. Are we willing to sacrifice our personal comfort in the fight for the environment and the common good?
The political drama An Enemy of the People was written by Henrik Ibsen in 1882. The uncompromising Dr. Stockmann becomes the enemy of most of the town’s inhabitants because he is convinced of his truth. The central dilemma of the play – how to behave when moral integrity and pragmatic collective interest collide – is universal and timeless. That is why the drama repeatedly returns not only to Czech stages.
Karolína Stehlíková’s introductory lecture will take place at 6 p.m. in the theatre club. The debate will take place after the performance in the theatre hall, at approximately 9 p.m. Admission to the introduction and debate is free as part of the ticket to the performance.
Performance length: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including intermission
More information including tickets can be found here.
The play, the introduction and the debate will be in Czech.
Theatre Evenings or Who is afraid of…?
In cooperation with selected theatres introducing texts of Scandinavian authors, the Scandinavian House has launched a series of Nordic Theatre Evenings. We would like the audience to get a deeper insight into the Scandinavian drama, that might not be as popular as the Nordic crime fiction, but can become similarly addictive. Do not be afraid to start tracking the Nordic theatre in the Czech Republic! Unusual horizons and views of the Nordic landscape guaranteed. No need for skis.
The events are organised as commented theatre performances and consist of e. g. a lecturer’s introduction before the performance or a discussion of a various kind, for example sharing of impressions of the play. The introduction provides information about the author, the performed text and a broader context of the piece, or can even familiarise the audience with the performing tradition of more famous, repeatedly staged dramatic texts. After the performance, there is an opportunity to discuss it together. The Theatre Evenings take place in different Prague, Brno and other theatres 2-4 times a year, depending on the current programmes.
Organized by the Scandinavian House in cooperation with the Petr Bezruč Theatre and with financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Norwegian Embassy in the Czech Republic.
