Dance + City

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Drama King

Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Vilnius, Lithuania

4 min

Available until 10/03/2026

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, France and Ukraine: Across five European countries, Dance plus City builds a bridge between contemporary dance and architecture. A unique way of looking at the interaction between the fluidity of the body and physical structures which, despite their omnipresence, are too often ignored in everyday life.

In this episode, we head for Lithuania and the National Theatre of Dramatic Arts in Vilnius, where strange things happen at night. 

The Lithuanian National Drama Theatre in Vilnius, a cultural gem dating back to 1951, combines tradition and modernity in a unique way. Originally built as a hall for the Liutnia Music Society, the building was redesigned in the 1980s by the Nasvyčiai brothers and developed into a theatre of international standing. Particularly interesting is the simple yet expressive façade with the sculpture "Mūzų šventė" ("Three Muses") by Stanislovas Kuzma, which symbolises drama, comedy and tragedy and makes the theatre an unmistakable landmark.

 

The interior of the theatre reflects the modern, flowing style that integrates the space into the urban environment of Vilnius. Despite numerous renovations and repairs, the building remains true to its cultural heritage and was declared an architectural monument in 1993.

 

Inspired by the "Three Muses", the theatre's janitor develops his own artistic vision. Together with a security guard, he transforms the empty theatre into a stage and creates a dance performance that reflects his inner world and his close connection to the theatre. This story symbolises the transformation of an ordinary worker into an artist. The theatre itself becomes a place where ordinary people can unleash their creativity and make the world their stage.

Filmed in October 2023 at the National Drama Theatre in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Country

Lithuania

Year

2023

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