“Willa Theater” suspends the show program for a month / Article / LSM.lv

After a productive summer, the Willa Theater stops the show program for a month due to the spread of the virus, and the creation of new productions is also difficult, but a new educational project has been created.

The last show that can still be watched before the break will be “The Story of Mi …” on November 3.

Time for change and new initiatives

Despite the changes introduced by Covid-19, the Willa Theater team remains optimistic. It is the place and atmosphere, as well as the different offer from the big theaters, according to the theater director, that was the original idea that appealed to the viewer the most. The creators of the “Willa Theater” want to stay with it in the future as well.

In the summer, the theater was adapted to the instructions of epidemiologists and took place in the garden of KK von Strick’s villa to ensure the necessary distance. This has allowed the theater to continue to work actively with the productions #DiToo, “The Fourth Chair”, “Petuški” and “Putn ilgs”. However, with the onset of autumn and the outbreak of a new virus outbreak, it was decided to stop the show program for a month. Instead, just before the next restrictions followed, an idea arose.

“Willa Theater”, starting from the end of October, starts a new educational project in the premises on Stabu Street, offering classes in acting, object theater and photography.

It is possible to apply for those interested from 15 to 60 years of age. The aim of the classes is to develop lifelong learning as well as to outline guidelines for the profession of actors for younger people.

The creation of new productions has been halved

The director of the theater Kalvis Lasmanis admits in the Latvian Radio program “Kultūras Rondo” that the current situation differs from the one experienced in the spring in the issue of creating performances. He points out that currently the production of new productions has been partially suspended due to costs.

Instead of the planned four new productions, there will be two performances by the end of the year, but it is not known when they will be shown to the audience.

“It simply came to our notice then. The beginning of the year is rather different from what it is now, with the idea of ​​what can be re-studied now. Because a new production is a cost, and if it is not clear when they will be able to realize it, then it is the thing that we are not completely slowing down, but we are working on 50%, ”explains Lasmanis.

The first of the upcoming new productions is “Glazed Shrine”, directed by Marta Elīna Martinsone with a large number of actors, which is unusual for the size of “Willa Theater”.

The second performance “Magda” is staged by Ģirts Ēcis. It will tell about the meeting of Eva Brown and Magda Gebels. Rolands Atkočūns and Kristīne Vītola are also working on new productions.

The director of the theater is sure that the performances will be completed, but it is not known when they will be able to show the audience:

“The inner conviction is unequivocal that we will finish the performances, we will make them. They will be ready. And then let’s wait until the time is right. “

One month ago, one of the last performances at the Willa Theater was the August performance, which was premiered in August. J. Igor Gatin’s play “Petushki” staged by Gillinger.

It brings together legendary personalities – American poet and writer Charles Bukovsky, Russian writer Venedikt Yerofeyev and French actress Marina Vladi. In the middle of a genius conversation, a mate like Mephistopheles is bustling – annoying, confusing and provoking. But Petuški is a place where no one gets there, many go there, regret it, and go again.

For the production, director J. J. Jillinger has gathered an unconventional ensemble of actors – Valmiera Drama Theater actors Aigars Vilims, actors Mārtiņš Vilsons and Vari Vētra, as well as Daile Theater actress Leldis Dreimanis.

The play is in Latvian, translated by Evita Mamaja, while the lyrics of Igor Gatin’s songs are in Russian. But the authors of the music are Mārtiņš Vilsons and Varis Vētra.

CONTEXT:

“Willa Theater” was founded in Riga, at the beginning of 2020, by uniting an experienced team of theater professionals. KK von Strick’s villa has become the home of the theater, which in recent years has become a popular venue for concerts and events, but has now also become a theater hall. Willa Theater offers fresh productions, performances and current poetry and music events.

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