On 14 March the New Stage of the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre in Vilnius will host the premiere of “The Birds”. Anna Smolar, a Polish-French director, examines the mechanisms of manipulation, especially in the context of professional relations based on power. The performance has been produced in cooperation with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.
“The Birds” – Alfred Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren at work
The performance has drawn its inspiration from the memoirs of a famous Hollywood actress Tippi Hedren, a star in “The Birds” and “Marnie” movies directed by Alfred Hitchcock. At the backstage of the history that enabled her to rise to fame and gain recognition there was a multi-layered and toxic relationship between two people. Hitchcock was Hedren’s teacher and mentor, but at the same time he controlled her every move, interfered in her private life and isolated her from others, and when she dared terminate her contract he did everything he could to ruin her career afterwards.
“The Birds” staged in Vilnius is a subjective reconstruction of the making of “The Birds” movie. By referring to visual effects known from Hitchcock’s films, the director undertakes a subjective reconstruction of the process of making of one of the most important thrillers in the history of cinema. Through the use of the motive of menacing wild creatures, actresses and actors present the dynamics of dangerous liaisons resulting from relational patterns that are deeply entrenched in the society, and a heroine who strives towards confrontation and rebellion.
A subjective reconstruction that poses further questions
In “The Birds”, artists tell a story of solitude and solidarity, systemic harassment, existence of a grey area and its consequences to mental and physical health, as well as resistance through collective support. The actresses and actors represent different aspects of Tippi’s persona – they alternately challenge the viewers’ perception of a victim and an oppressor.
For Anna Smolar, the performance is a vehicle to address the question of women’s rights and emancipation. Through the figures of birds or witnesses, she inspires us to reject the binary preconception of the #metoo movement, seen as the oppressor-victim dyad. Is a witness also to blame? When are people inclined to act? What is the cost of the emancipation process? Which emotions does a protest against the constant reproduction of an old scenario trigger?
Rehearsals for “The Birds” performance. Photo: Dmitriy Matveyev
Theatre performance “The Birds” directed by Anna Smolar
The premiere of “The Birds” is scheduled for 14 March 2025 at 19:00, at the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre. Subsequent performances will take place on Saturday, 15 March 2025 at 19:00, and Sunday, 16 March 2025 at 16:00. The duration of the performance is nearly 2 hours. Tickets are available on the website of the Vilnius theatre.
“The Birds”:
- Director: Anna Smolar;
- Dramaturgy and text: Iga Gańczarczyk, Anna Smolar;
- Stage design and costumes: Anna Met;
- Music: Jan Duszyński;
- Light direction: Dainius Urbonis;
- Choreography: Paweł Sakowicz;
- Video projections: Ville Seppänen;
- Dramaturgy and text assistant: Viktorija Sketerytė;
- Assistant director: Rokas Lažaunykas;
- Producer: Kamilė Žičkytė;
- Translation into Lithuanian: Ignas Beitsas and Artur Zapalowski;
- Interpreter during rehearsals: Uršulė Bartoševičiūtė;
The performance has been brought to viewers owing to the collaboration between the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Adam Mickiewicz Institute (Poland), and Espoo Theatre (Finland). Its has been co-financed from the funds of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland and the funds of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania.
