Feb 10 • 10:20 UTC 🇱🇻 Latvia LSM

Contemporary Dance Master Olga Žitluhina: I Don't Like Theater, But It's Interesting to Work in It

Choreographer Olga Žitluhina discusses her recent collaboration with acclaimed director Ādolfs Šapiro on the production of 'Don Quixote' and her thoughts on theater.

Olga Žitluhina, a contemporary dance master, has recently premiered her work on the production of 'Don Quixote', a project led by 86-year-old director Ādolfs Šapiro at the New Riga Theatre. The premiere took place on February 3rd. In an interview, Žitluhina shared her initial unfamiliarity with Šapiro's work, having never seen his productions during his time in Riga or afterward. Her primary focus has always been on dance, rather than dramatic arts, until her return to Latvia after spending seven years abroad.

Despite her recent acquaintance with Šapiro, she expressed admiration for his insights into theater. Žitluhina acknowledged that although she does not consider him an icon, she resonated with his principles about theater and appreciated listening to one of his pre-pandemic interviews. Her comments highlight her respect for Šapiro as a maestro who maintains exceptional physical fitness at an advanced age and has a genuine passion for theater and acting.

The discussion emphasizes the bridging of Žitluhina's contemporary dance background with theater, showcasing her commitment to exploring new artistic territories while acknowledging her limited prior engagement with theatrical productions. This collaboration may pave the way for further innovative approaches in Latvian theater and offer insights into the evolving interplay between different performance arts.

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