"Sala" at Liepāja Theatre: Estonian Director Renāte Kērda's Latvian Debut

Estonian director and choreographer Renāte Kērda has staged her first production in Latvia. It is called "Sala" and is performed at Liepāja Theatre. The reviewer for the magazine Ir admits that describing such a work is about as difficult as dancing a scent.

An unusual opening

The performance begins in darkness. High up in the black of the stage, two spotlights light up and resemble eyes. Long, mournful voices sound from backstage, growing stronger and nearer, and then a male choir suddenly starts singing behind the audience.

In fact, only four actors and one actress walk past the rows of spectators. They wear black tailcoats and are named Edgars Ozoliņš, Polina Čerņenoka, Kārlis Ērglis, Hugo Puriņš and Gatis Maliks. They use no microphones, yet the audience feels as though it is in the middle of a choir. The choir sings solemnly, at half the usual speed, about six little drummers, their marten-fur hats and their proposals to the only bride.

The reviewer's verdict

The reviewer describes the show as ninety minutes of happiness, sadness, tears and laughter. In her view, what she has written will tell nothing to those who have not seen the production at Liepāja Theatre. Those who have seen it may be pleased to find how differently a shared moment can be remembered. She adds that some may simply shrug at what others saw in it.

The photograph is by Aigars Hibneris.