The Dirty Deal Teatro in Riga premiered “Svētvieta” (Sacred Place) on February 20, 2026, a new production exploring themes of memory, place, and meaning-making. The play, directed by Mārcis Broks and co-written with Elizabete Šiklova, features actors Sandija Dovgāne, Agate Marija Bukša, and Uldis Siliņš.
“Svētvieta” centers on Emma, an architecture student preparing a presentation of her model. The play delves into her attempt to understand how a place holds not only history but similarly the experiences, longings, and perceptions of individuals who have inhabited it. The production, described as an allegory, simultaneously presents stories from three different eras, highlighting the enduring presence and power of sacred spaces.
Broks, a recent graduate of the Latvian Academy of Culture, collaborated with Šiklova on the dramaturgy and Reinijs Acht on the set design. The creative team also includes videomaker Aivars Šaicāns, sound designer Viesturs Balodis, and lighting designer Jūlija Bondarenko.
The staging incorporates a physical model of a landscape, which is projected onto the walls and ceiling of the stage, creating immersive environments. This visual element, facilitated by Šaicāns’ videomapping, aims to evoke a sense of atmosphere and spatial depth within the relatively tiny performance space. The play’s structure is described as associative, with elements of text, sound, light, and image merging in a meditative flow.
Dovgāne portrays multiple characters, including Emma’s classmate Rita, a priestess named Heduanna, and a cloistered nun named Ūna. Siliņš embodies Emma’s friend Stefan in the present day, as well as a monk and Ūna’s companion, August, in the medieval period. Bukša plays the central role of Emma, whose preparations for her presentation serve as a recurring motif throughout the production. The frequent repetition of lines and actions is intended to emphasize the cyclical nature of history and interpretation.
The set design, created by Acht, is described as austere and precise, featuring elements like wooden logs and a stone. Critics have noted the effectiveness of the visual projections in creating a sense of both foreboding and fragile longing. The lighting design, by Bondarenko, is simple, complementing the saturated video projections.
Reviewers have described “Svētvieta” as a work that explores the challenges of finding meaning in a world where definitive answers are elusive. One critic noted the play’s resonance with Dirty Deal Teatro’s previous production, “Vecajo kults” (Old Cult), suggesting a continuing exploration of themes of acceptance and reconciliation. Another highlighted the play’s invitation to personal reflection, emphasizing that the depth of engagement is dependent on the individual audience member.
Performances of “Svētvieta” are scheduled through March 13 and April 24, 2026, at the Dirty Deal Teatro in Riga. Tickets for the April 24th performance are currently available.
