ALPHAS

The musical theatre performance “Alphas” was inspired by the events in Jēkabpils in January 2011, when four police officers and one civilian carried out an armed robbery at a gaming hall, followed by a chase and a shootout during the arrest attempt by the Daugava River. The consequences were tragic - while carrying out his duties and trying to detain the robbers, a police officer was killed. This event coincided with the lowest point of the crisis and at the same time starkly reminded people of the values of the “fat years,” namely bravado and the public celebration of an expensive, representative, credit-based lifestyle. These events, now more than 10 years past, may seem like distant history, yet these questions can still be asked - how do we as a society understand the words “determination,” “strength,” “manliness,” and “heroism”?

By reinterpreting and fictionalizing these events in a dramatic musical form, it is possible to create your own version of how human character, self-confidence, carelessness, and the situation in the country came together at one point and caused tragedy. This performance is an opportunity to reflect on the role of men in society. How do they see themselves? What is expected of them? How should one think about all this and find oneself at an impasse?

The performance includes gunshot sounds and swear words.

The photographs used in the performance are taken from the National News Agency LETA.

Composer: Edgars Raginskis

Libretto: Jānis Balodis

Director: Valters Sīlis

Set Designer: Uģis Bērziņš

Lighting Designer: Niks Cipruss

Principal Rehearsal Pianist: Līga Paegle

Sound Design: Kārlis Tone

Percussionist: Ernests Mediņš

Choreographer: Edvards Kurmiņš

Cast: Aleksandrs Bricis, Artis Drozdovs, Mārtiņš Gūtmanis, Emīls Kivlenieks, Armands Siliņš