Calendar
Under the Free Sun
2023
A baptismal production
Based on Fran Saleški Finžgar’s novel
PREMIERE
30. november 2023
SNG Nova Gorica
At partner theater 18. december 2023, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana At parter theater 19. januar 2024, Drama SNG Maribor
Coproduction
Drama SNG Maribor, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana and Zavod Škrateljc
Under the Free Sun by Fran Saleški Finžgar is the great Slovenian historical novel and one of our canonical literary works, not only because its story inspired national feelings, but also because of its superb, epic opulence that half a century ago even intrigued Hollywood to think about turning it into a spectacular period drama. Unfortunately, nothing has (yet?) become of the idea, but The Tale of our Ancient Forefathers saw different literary, theatre and radio adaptations and was recently even adapted as a graphic novel by Damjan Stepančič and Goran Vojnović. The masterpiece which combines the epic story of the Slavic colonisation of the Balkans with the romantic love story between Iztok and Irena also inspired Goran Vojnović to write an original work for the stage – a contemporary interpretation of the myth, taking into account historical and political experiences from the time when the novel was written until today.
In the battle between the great, magnificent, magical, conquering and cruel Byzantium on the one side and the small, belligerent, freedom-hungry barbarians on the other, a fascinating fictional world emerges. In it, a mind game of recognising demons of one’s own time takes place, and very interesting and rather pertinent questions are being opened. Who are today’s barbarians? Where is the Byzantium of today? Are we the barbarians on the edge of the powerful empire or are we the Byzantines that protect Byzantium from the penetrating barbarians? What is the state of our freedom? Are we now living under the free sun or not?
Just as reading Finžgar can still be exciting and attractive, the theatre production will also be exciting and attractive, even spectacular. Although literary history classifies Under the Free Sun as a young adult novel, the novel itself and Vojnović’s interpretation are so complex and full of meaning that they will address a wide range of spectators.
All the questions that Finžgar asked himself are still pertinent, but the responses to them are more complicated, oftentimes incomplete, or even ambiguous, because, in today’s world, even the definition of who is a Byzantine and who is a barbarian is unclear.
Goran Vojnović
Creators
-
Director
Aleksandar Popovski -
Dramaturg
Martina Mrhar -
Language Consultant
Anja Pišot -
Set Designer
Aleksandar Popovski -
Costume Designer
Jelena Proković -
Make-up Designer
Špela Ema Veble -
Choreographer
Rosana Hribar -
Author of visual art
Damijan Stepančič -
Animator and Video Designer
Miran Bratuš -
Composer*
Boštjan Gombač -
Light Designers
Aleksandar Popovski, Marko Vrkljan -
Assistant to Director
Stefani Hristova -
Assistant to Set Designer
Matic Gselman -
Assistant to Costume Designer
Saša Dragaš -
* Vocal (recorded in studio Savna)
Jan Tomšič
Performing
Iztok
Matija RupelIrena
Eva Kraš k. g.Rado
Blaž Dolenc k. g.Črt
Matej Zemljič k. g.Radovan
Iztok MlakarVolk
Gorazd Žilavec k. g.Rustik
Viktor Hrvatin Meglič k. g.Epafrodit
Gorazd JakominiJustinjan
Blaž ValičTeodora
Arna HadžialjevićAzbad
Robert Korošec k. g. / Žan KoprivnikSvarun (recorded voice)
Žiga SaksidaNarrator (recorded voice)
Boštjan Gombač k. g.
THEATER LIST
30. 11. 2023, 20.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
1. 12. 2023, 20.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
2. 12. 2023, 20.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
6. 12. 2023, 10.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
6. 12. 2023, 20.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
7. 12. 2023, 10.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
7. 12. 2023, 20.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
9. 12. 2023, 20.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
10. 12. 2023, 18.00. SNG Nova Gorica.
18. 12. 2023, 18.00. Cankarjev dom Ljubljana.
19. 12. 2023, 11.00. Cankarjev dom Ljubljana.
20. 12. 2023, 13.00. Cankarjev dom Ljubljana.
21. 12. 2023, 11.00. Cankarjev dom Ljubljana.
19. 1. 2024, 20.00. SNG Maribor.
20. 1. 2024, 11.00. SNG Maribor.
20. 1. 2024, 20.00. SNG Maribor.
22. 1. 2024, 11.00. SNG Maribor.
22. 1. 2024, 20.00. SNG Maribor.
23. 1. 2024, 10.00. SNG Maribor.
23. 1. 2024, 20.00. SNG Maribor.
24. 1. 2024, 11.00. SNG Maribor.
24. 1. 2024, 20.00. SNG Maribor.
25. 1. 2024, 11.00. SNG Maribor.
25. 1. 2024, 20.00. SNG Maribor.
26. 1. 2024, 10.00. SNG Maribor.
26. 1. 2024, 20.00. SNG Maribor. - CANCELLED
27. 1. 2024, 18.00. SNG Maribor.
22. 10. 2024, 11.00–12.30. SNG Nova Gorica, veliki oder. School
23. 10. 2024, 10.00–11.30. SNG Nova Gorica, veliki oder. School - CANCELLED
24. 10. 2024, 12.00–13.30. SNG Nova Gorica, veliki oder. School - CANCELLED
25. 10. 2024, 11.00–12.30. SNG Nova Gorica, veliki oder. School - CANCELLED
25. 10. 2024, 20.00–21.30. SNG Nova Gorica, veliki oder. SEASON TICKET FLEX, SINGLE TICKET, OPTIONAL PERFORMANCE FOR SUBSCRIBERS - CANCELLED
8. 12. 2024, 20.00–21.30. Mestno gledališče Celovec, Avstrija.