Glassmaker's poem
How lovely it is
To see through this
Through sand through glass
Just look at this
A view so fine
The lumberjack
Divine
Falling a tree
To make the planks
To the joiner
Can make the beds
For the little florist
Marrying the lamplighter
Lighting the lamps in the twilight
Giving light to the cobbler
Who repairs shoes of the shoeshine
Who shines the shoes of the grinder
Who sharpens the scissors for the barber
Who cuts the hair of the birdman
Who gives birds to the people
To be happy not stiff as a steeple.
Dear visitors of Mestno gledališče ljubljansko,
Let me begin with a cliché, simply because it is the truth: These are wild, fast, impatient times we live in. Stress is our companion, fears our guests, and (very often) scrambling for wealth is our lifestyle. And, let's face it, we have become accustomed to all of that.
My chosen profession gives me the opportunity and obligation to read. I browse through many a quality and exciting text we later use to compose a programme. That is the reason I feel ashamed to use the word with no literary value, an obnoxious word, yet one we (regrettably) use often: recession. We, the creators in the theatre, are well aware that there are two possible scenarios connected with that. The first (pessimistic) one sees you walking away from us, abandoning us with the rest of other luxuries. The other (optimistic) one welcomes you, as you remain our companions, and visit our theatres, concerts, and exhibitions in even greater numbers. Most great crises in history were paralleled with a boom in arts and interest in them. I wish this were the case this time. I wish you needed us.
Our repertoire was not twisted into fitting the new circumstances. But one thing is certain; this year the main themes of selected stories are humanity and compassion. In the serious and humorous contexts. We will talk about differences, bashfulness, folly, conceit, captivity, cruelty, being enamoured, weaknesses, risks, stinginess …
A tragedy - comedy noir – musical – drama – comedy
Stories about people. I firmly believe that the theatre is one of the boldest and most indirect art forms. It is again an opportunity to respond to the current reality. It is a possibility to momentarily lift oneself above the level of banality. It’s an answer, Comfort. A wake up call.
This holds the power and the meaning of what we do. We are looking forward to seeing you.
Barbara Hieng Samobor