A year ago, when the director Toms Treinis found out that he would have to work with the new actors of the Valmiera Theater, he looked for a suitable play, he remembered Flaming darkness once played by classmates during their studies. Both because there are a lot of actors in the show and because there is an opportunity to play a wide range of emotions. “This work is very close and special to me, because Valjeho has written quite accurately about man’s inner contradiction and struggle with darkness within himself. One of the most important questions for me in creating this show is who needs the truth if it is so painful.The world we know in the show is awkward, but at the same time encourages breaking out of half-truths, lies and frivolity , “says T. Treinis. “The theme of the play, the relationship, the inner darkness that everyone is talking about, resonates with the time we live in,” the director concludes. The play was written by its Spanish author Antonio Buero Valjeho in the 20th century. in the middle, in the shadow of the Franco regime. Valiejo was a passionate denier of dictatorship and was in opposition, even imprisoned for his views. That is why the idea of the play is an allegory – not seeing is conditional.
The story takes place in a boarding school for blind young people who have been blind since birth. They live a happy and normal life thanks to the care of their teachers – the blind Pablo and the sighted Pepita – finding comfort in each other’s society, friendship and love. This harmony is beginning to be threatened by the newcomer of the boarding school, Ignasio, who, with his ruthless and provocative views, refuses to accept the boarding school’s mental blindness not to see the painful reality, which is often chosen not to be seen by the sighted. Boarding students Ignasio does not remain in debt. “It’s like in any society when people live in a truth they accept. When an external turmoil offers another truth, it’s up to them to accept it or stay in their own world. But the question is, does the world I live in bring happiness and joy? Maybe it is! But each medal has two sides, it is white and black, light and dark. And at the associative level in this show, it also appears, “says the director.
Physical blindness is not easy to play. The young actors went to Strazdumuiža school with the director to meet blind young people to understand the world they live in and the challenges they face. “But we focused more on inner blindness and visibility. That is the main theme – pretending, not seeing,” adds T. Treinis. Along with the experienced colleagues, almost all the new actors of the Valmiera Theater will be on stage.
The next performance at the Valmiera Theater – on February 17.
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