Dailes Theatre welcomes audiences to its first Baltic Sea region guest performance showcase – the very first DAILENNIALE RIGA, kicking off on August 26 and closing on October 31.   

DAILENNIALE is conceived as an international, annual platform for performing arts and events, offering audiences an opportunity to discover the hottest performances and artists from theatres across the Baltic Sea region and Europe. From music theatre to a dance tour behind the scenes at Dailes Theatre, from a cult item of dramatic theatre to one of the most ambitious productions in Europe – the first programme of DAILENNIALE includes five pieces, each different in form, that the theatre is especially keen to present to its audiences. 

PROGRAMME

BUSINESS AS USUAL
Estonian Drama Theatre production
Mehis Pihla, directed by Hendrik Toompere Jr.
26.08. 18.30 | 27.08. 18.30 | 28.08. 18.30

THE END
Estonian National Theatre Vanemuine production
Piret Jaaks, directed by Marta Aliide Jakovski
27.08. 19.00

UNANNOUNCED
A contemporary dance tour
Heine Avdal, Yukiko Shinozaki, directed by Heine Avdal, Yukiko Shinozaki. 
16.10. 16.00 | 17.10. 12.00; 16.30; 18.30 | 18.10. 12.00; 18.00

SIDDHARTHA
Music theatre
Lisaboa Houbrechts after Hermann Hesse, directed by Lisaboa Houbrechts
21.10. 18.30 | 22.10. 18.30 | 23.10. 18.30

ORACLE
Anka Herbut, directed by Łukasz Twarkowski
30.10. 18.00 | 31.10. 15.00

 

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Mehis Pihla
Directed by Hendrik Toompere Jr.

Dubbed a cult show, “BUSINESS AS USUAL”, the latest work by the talented Estonian director Hendrik Toompere is a monumental documentary thriller on the “Danske Bank” money laundering scandal – a 200-billion-dollar scheme involving a Danish bank, oligarchs, prostitutes, and security personnel. In recent years it has become one of the most in-demand Estonian productions, with tickets selling out within minutes. Its performances in Latvia also sold out at record speed. The “Danske Bank” money laundering scandal shook the Estonian and wider regional banking system several years ago, and the performance explores which money exactly continues to shape the societies of our region.  

THE END

Piret JAAKS
Directed by Marta Aliide Jakovski

What do we mean by life if we know it's going to end? With this question dramaturg Piret Jaaks and director Marta Aliide Jakovski approached people who are, professionally or personally, very close to the final stage of life – priests, chaplains, specialists of Holy Scripture and folklore, and people on their deathbeds. Easily regarded as timeless, a documentary piece has grown from these conversations. The production is praised by critics and audiences alike, and is a hymn to life and living. Producer: Estonian National Theatre Vanemuine.

UNANNOUNCED

Heine Avdal, Yukiko Shinozaki
Directed by Heine Avdal, Yukiko Shinozaki

Artists from Belgium, Latvia, Japan, Norway and other places on the globe have come together to create a magical dance performance on the elusive experience that is theatreunann. “UNANNOUNCED” is a succession of unexpected events dismantling the boundaries between the inside and the outside of a theatre, between what’s happening and what seems to not be, between the stage and the wings. Six performers invite the audience on a mysterious journey beyond the visible and the familiar, towards a space that gradually transforms into a labyrinth.  Specifically for Latvian audiences the choreography and direction have been adapted to the spaces of Dailes Theatre – a complex, multi-layered environment, much like a secret city that only a rare few get to know in everyday life. Besides, the first meeting of the audience and the artists will take place not in any of the theatre halls, but in the lobby of the building. 

SIDDHARTHA

Lisaboa Houbrechts after Hermann Hesse
Directed by Lisaboa Houbrechts

The Belgian director Lisaboa Houbrechts, often hailed as a sorceress of the stage, dissolves the boundary between music theatre and contemporary opera. A visible presence in today's European theatre landscape, she has taken to interpreting “SIDDHARTHA”, a novel by Hermann Hesse, drawing audiences into a philosophical tale of the spiritual journey of a young Brahmin towards enlightenment in India, an exploration of self-knowledge, worldly doubt, and the pursuit of wisdom. Already heralded as a major European theatre event of the year, the performance will be coming to the Large Hall on October 21, 22, and 23. This performance features a large international creative team, with Dailes Theatre actress Milēna Miškēviča, the award-winning Latvian Radio Choir and conductor Kaspars Putniņš representing Latvia.

ORACLE

Anka Herbut
Directed by Łukasz Twarkowski

And to close the very first DAILENNIALE, audiences are welcome to experience on of the most in-demand Daile productions worldwide – “ORACLE”. Following its world premiere at the Ruhrtriennale last year and further success in Switzerland, Italy and elsewhere, “Oracle” has cemented its reputation as one of the biggest productions on European stages in recent years. Polish director Łukasz Twarkowski, who also staged “ROTKHO”, a smash hit across Europe, and his team continue to explore a complete fusion of theatrical and cinematic expression, delving into uncannily accurate prophecies of the future and the backstage of technology that is already shaping our lives today. “Oracle” shines a light on the discoveries in natural and artificial intelligence by British mathematician and logician Alan Turing – the creator of the Turing Test – during World War II. A visually striking and conceptually provocative piece not to be missed! “Oracle” is written by Anka Herbut and directed by Łukasz Twarkowski. Its performances will be the closing event of DAILENNIALE on October 30 and 31 in the Large Hall.