On May 26, the Daugavpils theater will host the premiere of the movement play “Nodzītus zirgus nošauj”, which tells the story of the struggle with one’s weaknesses and insurmountable circumstances. After the premiere in the Daugavpils theater, the play will also be seen in Riga – on June 1 at the Latvian National Theater.
The show depicts a long dance marathon, whose participants, driven by desperation, are ready to do anything to get the promised prize. Lies, fear, betrayal and ambition gradually fill the air of this show, which captivates the audience at every moment. The competition becomes a fierce battle for a place under the sun, and those who cannot give up the dream of the big prize have to donate much more than they originally thought.
The plot of the show is based on the American writer Horace McCoy’s novel “You shoot horses that have been chased, don’t you?” (They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?), which was inspired by real events in America during the Great Depression, when there was a boom in inhumane dance marathons. At that time, such marathons could go on for months, forcing the participants to be in constant motion, allowing only short breaks, but there was no lack of people who wanted to make money in this way, break out in show business or simply be full and warm, as well as spectators who looked at the torment of the participants as an exciting show. The behind-the-scenes and challenges of such a marathon were covered in a novel by Horace McCoy, and many viewers might be familiar with its plot thanks to the 1969 film adaptation directed by Sidney Pollack and starring actress Jane Fonda.
The show’s choreographer and author of the libretto, Irina Bogeruka, says: “The story will not be about dance as such, it will be a story about the inner strength and weaknesses of a person, which are especially vividly manifested in difficult situations. About sins. And about fatal choices.”
“This season, the Daugavpils theater has placed a special emphasis on the conversation about what happens to a person’s soul and psyche when he finds himself in extreme conditions. This show reflects the different paths that the show’s characters choose to take when they find themselves in insurmountable circumstances. Someone will choose a fight so as not to turn into an animal – chase a horse; someone will turn into a hunted animal, unable to fight for himself; someone, unwilling or unable to fight any further, will cease to exist, seeing in this way an alternative to the loss of humanity,” adds Oleg Shaposhnikov, the show’s director.
The production “Odzītus žirus nošauj” will feature a synthesis of dance, stage movement, vocals and acting, and will feature almost the entire theater troupe. In the title roles – dancers Anna Blakunova (Gloria) and Yevgenijs Mihailovs (Roberts). Set designer and costume designer of the show – Inga Bermaka, lighting designer – Sergejs Vasiļjevs. The performance will feature music by several composers, including Alekseja Fedotova from Daugavpils specially composed compositions for the performance. The performance is intended for viewers from the age of 16. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Premiere in the big hall of the Daugavpils theater – May 26 at 6:00 p.m. The next performance is on May 27 at 6:30 p.m. The performance will also be available at the Latvian National Theater on June 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets – at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket offices and online at www.bilesuparadize.lv.
Information prepared by:
Yanina Ivanova
VSIA “Daugavpils theater” public relations manager
Mob. tel. no. 28445647
E-mail: [email protected]
www.daugavpilsteatris.lv
Tags: movement show Shoot dead horses created Daugavpils theater
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