Review of Alexander Morfov’s Production of Don Juan at the Latvian National Theatre
Latvian National Theatre staged Molière’s Don Juan on October 29, marking Bulgarian director Alexander Morfov’s return to Latvia after a six-year break and his first production at the institution. Director Returns After Six-Year Absence The premiered production in the theatre’s Large Hall explores the boundaries of human freedom and what a person does with freedom when societal restrictions are no longer recognized. The title role is played by Gundars Grasbergs.
Morfov Stages Don Juan at the Latvian National Theatre
Morfov previously staged Don Juan at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia in 2004, and has also directed versions in Bulgaria, Russia, and Israel. In the 107-year history of the Latvian National Theatre, Molière’s work has been staged only twice. The production features a chronology of Don Juan transformations in its program, starting with Tirso de Molina’s 1630 work up to Rita Liepa’s 1944 work, while omitting two Valmiera Theatre productions: Erik-Emmanuel Schmitt’s Valoņas nakts
from 1991 (staged in Valmiera in 2019) and Ārijs Geikins’s Dona Žuana savaldīšana
from 2001. Speaking on his concept, Alexander Morfov stated, Moljēra “Dons Žuans” no daudzām citām šī kultūrvaroņa interpretācijām man šķiet pati dziļākā, filozofiskākā un provokatīvākā versija.
Creative Team Designs the Production
The staging incorporates scenography by Mārtiņš Vilkārsis, costumes by Jolanta Rimkute from Lithuania, lighting by Oskars Pauliņš, choreography by Inga Krasovska, video art by -8, and original music by Alexander Thomas Matthieson alongside live musicians and a group of dancers. Alongside Grasbergs, the cast includes Ivars Kļavinskis, Madara Reijere, Anna Emanuela Vaice, Ieva Aniņa, Uldis Siliņš, Mārtiņš Brūveris, Juris Lisners, Marija Bērziņa, Artis Drozdovs, Kaspars Aniņš, and Marta Marija Gruzdova. General rehearsals were held on October 28 ahead of the opening.
Performances Scheduled Following the Premiere
Following the October 29 premiere, upcoming performances were scheduled for October 30 and November 7, 19, and 26. Tickets are available at Biļešu paradīze cash desks and its website.