Visually striking and emotionally charged – "Dream Story" set to premiere at Dailes Theatre
Today, 30th January, the dramatisation of "Dream Story" by Arthur Schnitzler will have its premiere in the Great Hall of Dailes Theatre. The production is directed by the emerging British director Daniel Raggett, an Olivier Award nominee. He has created a visually powerful and emotionally tight piece on relationships and the most concealed fantasies that are irresistibly tempting to explore, yet may turn out to be deeply unsettling. The leading roles in this modern marital drama are performed by a married actor couple – Ieva Segliņa and Artūrs Krūzkops.
Schnitzler’s novella shook the polite early 20th-century Viennese society with its undisguised erotic allure and unprecedented portrayal of the upper classes, causing a considerable scandal. Its most renowned interpretation is "Eyes Wide Shut", a 1999 film by Stanley Kubrick, starring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.
This new interpretation of Schnitzler’s work at Dailes Theatre was co-created by Daniel Raggett and acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens, best known for "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time". Bringing together outstanding talent from Latvia, the United Kingdom, France and Poland, they bring to life a world of fantasy and reality that lifts the lid on humanity’s darkest desires, longing, dreams and sexuality.
Director Daniel Raggett says: "I think truth and dreams often merge because we have two lives. There's this outward, public life that we share with others, and at the same time there's this whole inner world. Very often others don't get to see it. We don't even share it with those truly close to us, and sometimes the things we want or desire can feel uncomfortable even to ourselves. I think those are still really interesting conversations that we're quite afraid of having now. So making a play where those are front and centre seemed an exciting challenge."
The internationally renowned French visual artist Olivier de Sagazan also takes part in the production. His clay performances and transformations of the human body using clay create a powerful emotional impact. Although his work spans various art forms, this is the first time he has collaborated on the creation of a theatre production. During the performance, Dailes Theatre actors transform into mysterious identities through clay masks.
Along with a visually striking dynamic set design, expressive lighting and video projections, the atmosphere of the production owes a great deal to the original music composed by Dāvis Burmeisters that is performed live on stage throughout the performance. Widely known for his music with such bands as Tesa, Elkupe, Pamirt and others, Burmeisters has brought together a talented homegrown Dailes Theatre ensemble in the on-stage band Red Night: Mārtiņš Upenieks, Niklāvs Kurpnieks and Andrjus Jaņuns.
The export partner of this visually impressive and ambitious production is LMT Group, which presented Dailes Theatre with the EUR 20,000 LMT Group Theatre Export Award at the Spēlmaņu nakts awards ceremony. “Quality, courage and ambition are the benchmark of global competitiveness – whether it is in innovation or in the arts. For LMT Group, support for culture is a strategic investment in our country's growth, as our ability to compete beyond our borders is not only about products, but also creative ideas and personalities. The export potential of Latvia is far greater than we often realise, and culture is one of its strongest pillars. We have no shortage of talent whose work resonates with international audiences. We wish "Dream Story" every success in reaching and captivating the world,” says Ingmārs Pūķis, Member of the Management Board and VP for Marketing and Business Development at LMT Group.
Cast: Artūrs Krūzkops, Ieva Segliņa, Niklāvs Kurpnieks, Milēna Miškēviča, Marta Lovisa Jančevska, Meinards Liepiņš, Katrīna Griga, Andris Bulis, Dainis Gaidelis, Imants Strads, Mārtiņš Upenieks, Matīss Ozols, Katrīna Stepiņa, Rūta Blumberga or Elizabete Ikstena, Dāvis Burmeisters, Mārtiņš Upenieks, Niklāvs Kurpnieks, Andrjus Jaņuns.
Director and playwright – Daniel Raggett; Playwright – Simon Stephens; Set and Costume Designer – Anna Reid; Visual Artist – Olivier de Sagazan; Choreographer – Elīna Gediņa; Video and Digital Media Designer – Jakub Lech; Composer – Dāvis Burmeisters; Light Artist– Oskars Pauliņš; Assistant Director – Diāna Kaijaka; Stage Manager – Mārcis Ģipters; Producer – Ginta Tropa.