Viesturs Kairišs stages "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand at Dailes Theatre

Written by novelist Ayn Rand, "The Fountainhead" (1943) is one of the most significant literary pieces of the 20th century, long hailed as a "hymn to individualism", and this melodrama of ideas is now enjoying renewed popularity. The book has influenced many architects, entrepreneurs, artists, and thinkers around the world. In European theatre, staging this work is considered a near-impossible undertaking – the web of relationships and plot lines is every bit as formidable as its ferociously strong-willed characters. At Dailes Theatre, the challenge of staging one of the most influential novels about individual freedom, creativity, and the struggle against societal pressure has been taken on by director Viesturs Kairišs, who says: ""The Fountainhead" is an ode to idealism in an age of darkness. That is exactly where I feel we are living right now. But idealism is what always gives hope, and that may be the most important thing about this production."

The lead role – Howard Roark – is played by Kaspars Dumburs. Roark is a young, brilliant, and uncompromising architect. As the story unfolds, the motivations, ambitions, and power struggles of various characters in culture, architecture, and society are gradually revealed. Step by step, the story transforms into a philosophical drama about what truly keeps the world moving – independent creators or the collective pressure of society. And, of course, there are relationships, passions, love, and its triangles.

Returning to the Dailes Theatre Large Hall stage for the third time is set designer Reinis Dzudzilo, who will literally bring all of the stage capabilities to life, with the scenography incorporating the vastness of the space and the entirety of the stage machinery – more than 20 moving platforms.

Reinis Dzudzilo shares: "In designing the scenography, I tried to transform the horizontal into the vertical as much as possible. Also the setting of the play – New York – demands verticality, and that is what I strive for. Another thing – I look at the architecture of Dailes Theatre and the architecture of the stage itself. The main set designer is actually the Dailes Theatre building itself. I deliberately aim for that feeling that a person seems so small against the vast stage and space, yet at the same time huge when they create and invent."

The author of the programme notes of the production, writer Dace Rukšāne, reflects: "It is quite significant that this particular play is staged in a building designed by Marta Staņa. When people speak of Marta Staņa, they often mention her courage – but in architecture, courage is not loud. It is concealed in lines, in the distances between walls, in proportions that at first may seem too cold, too rigid, until at some point, when you visit the building, you suddenly realize: this environment literally breathes! That is exactly what Dailes Theatre in Riga is. In this story, buildings become an extension of human character: some are bold and simple, others are decorative masks concealing a fear of true originality."

The actors bringing the story and the architecture of its characters to life are Kaspars Dumburs, Mārtiņš Meiers, Artūrs Skrastiņš, Ilze Ķuzule-Skrastiņa, Kārlis Freimanis, Indra Briķe, Jana Herbsta, Dainis Gaidelis, Juris Bartkevičs, Madara Viļčuka, Marta Lovisa Jančevska and Matīss Ozols.

The director and dramaturg of the production is Viesturs Kairišs; stage adaptation written by Koen Tachelet; visual dramaturgy by Reinis Dzudzilo; costume designer Simona Veilande; choreographer Jüri Nael; lighting artist Niks Cipruss; musical supervisor Juris Vaivods; assistant director Rafaels Bijevs; lighting assistant Mikus Guds; stage manager Iveta Boša; producer Kristīne Mūrmane.

"The Fountainhead" premieres at Dailes Theatre on April 16.