Coproduction of the CNT in Zagreb and the Slovene National Theatre in Maribor
In the second half of the 19th century, the prominent Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen created the character of Peer Gynt, a restless antihero who is an adventurer, a liar, and an unyielding romantic. In pursuit of his authentic self through dreams and a semi-mystical world, he tends to overlook the hardships of those around him. Inspired by Ibsen’s poetry, Edvard Grieg composed one of the most melodious and celebrated musical overtures. To this day, Solveig’s Song enjoys far greater recognition than the original work that motivated Grieg's creation. Even a century and a half later, the story of Peer Gynt, which is deeply embedded in both folk tradition and the unconscious, continues to captivate and influence artists from diverse disciplines.
Edward Clug, the choreographer at the Slovene National Theatre in Maribor, staged this celebrated work at his home theatre in 2015, approaching it from an entirely different perspective that resonates with modern times. Like Peer, individuals today exist at the juncture of multiple mental epochs, with many firmly believing that they are destined for greatness if only they could figure out where to begin. Today, as always, people face the challenge of choosing between the mantra of being true to oneself and the philosophy of being content with oneself. As cultural norms evolve, connections break, and threads weaken, but love still redeems all, making Solveig's unwavering fidelity more vital than ever.
In 2023, the production Peer Gynt received the Croatian Theatre Award for Best Ballet Production. In the same year, Takuya Sumitomo received the Croatian Theatre Award for the title role, while Natalia Kosovac received the award for her role as Solveig. Atina Tanović received the “Ana Roje” Award for the roles of the Mother and the Woman in Green in the 2022/2023 season, and in the same season the ballet received the “Tito Strozzi” Award.
