Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL)

Theatre performance Osli by Plautus at Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL),

Founded in 1949, Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL) is the second largest drama theatre in Slovenia. Operating initially on a small, modest stage with a group of enthusiastic actors, over the years the theatre has expanded into a modern theatre company with 37 permanent actors, staging 9 of its own productions and at least 2 co-productions per year. The theatre focuses mainly on modern drama performances and recently on the production of (drama) musicals.

Repertoire

Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL) aims to offer critical and communicative performances of different genres and performing principles. Besides staging classical drama works, the theatre's repertoire is oriented mainly towards contemporary drama, including works of international and Slovene playwrights. MGL was among the first theatre companies in the former Yugoslavia to promote the works of playwrights such as Jean Anouilh, Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Max Frisch, and Eugene Ionesco, and is today generally renowned as being the theatre which specialises in staging plays from outside the Anglo-Saxon domain, that is from less accessible sources, such as works by Nikolai Koljada, Per Olov Enquist, Lars Noren, Hrafnhildur Hagalín Gudmundsdóttir, Suzanne van Lohuizen, Janusz Głowacki, Mladen Popović, and others. In addition, Ljubljana City Theatre has a policy of consistently nurturing contemporary Slovene drama (staging plays of Slovene playwrights, such as Evald Flisar, Matjaž Zupančič, Milan Jesih, Matjaž Kmecl, Simona Semenič), while at the same time constantly taking on the challenge of the classic Slovene playwright, Ivan Cankar.

The theatre's productions are presented and often awarded at Slovene theatre festivals. The members of MGL ensemble have also received a number of prestigious awards.

Production

Each season, the theatre produces and co-produces up to 12 performances of different genres. The theatre has recently staged a number of highly successful musicals, praised by both the audience and the critics. The musical Cabaret [Kabaret] (2006), directed by Stanislav Moša, received the 2007 Borštnik Award for aesthetic breakthrough, while the musical Sugar - Some Like It Hot [Sugar - Nekateri so za vroče] (2008), also directed by Moša, received the audience award for best performance at the Days of Comedy festival in Celje.

Uroš Smolej- Willkomenn by prodoktv on YouTube

Every season, MGL also enters co-productions with national producers. Recently, it co-produced with EPI Centre the project Ballades for Everyday Use [Balade za vsakdanjo rabo] (2009) by the young Slovene director Andrej Jus, in 2010, it co-produced with Imaginarni Institute Gregor Fon's play Pooch, Pussy and Poof [Pes, pizda in peder], directed by Primož Ekart, which was nominated for the 2008 Grum Award, etc. The theatre has collaborated also with institutions, such as Maska Institute, Celinka Association, Muzeum Institute, Café Teater, Glej Theatre, B-51 Cultural Society, etc.

The theatre tours frequently throughout Slovenia, and has also recently begun appearing at theatre festivals abroad (the Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia, USA, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, and Serbia), where it has also received several awards, for example, in 2008, the cabaret performance Patty Diphusa - Confessions of a Porn Diva [Patty Diphusa - izpovedi porno dive] (2004), directed by Ivana Djilas, received several awards at the Sarajevo Teatarfest, Brane Završan's project Solistika (2008) also received the jury award at the same festival in 2009. Both productions were co-produced by Familija.

In addition to Slovene directors, MGL also engages directors from other countries, including Great Britain, Poland, Croatia, Iceland, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Macedonia. The theatre also organises guest appearances of national and international performances. It has hosted, among others, the Prague-based Comedy Theatre, the Belgrade Drama Theatre, the Brno City Theatre, etc.

Ljubljana City Theatre is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and the Municipality of Ljubljana and is a member of the Informal European Theatre Meeting (IETM).

Publishing activity

Since 1958 an independent publishing service has functioned within MGL, specialising in the production of exclusively theatre-related literature, including memoirs, theoretical and historical works, and reference books. At present the MGL Library Book Collection has a catalogue of over 150 titles; each year at least two new books are added.

Venues

Located in the strict city centre, MGL has three performance venues: Main and Small Stages and Studio Theatre.

Main Stage

type of venue: theatre
main use: drama performances
seating: 327 seats total
proscenium opening: 7.2m W x 4.9m H
performing area: 7.2m W x 14m D x 7.5m H to grid
forestage: 3m D apron
suspension equipment: 3 lighting lines, 24 counterweight lines, max load 125kg
soft hangings: red house curtain, black tabs, traverse curtain, legs and borders
lighting: ARRI Finesse 512-channel DMX desk, 120 x 2.5kw dimmers
sound: Mackie 32:8-channel mixer, 6 power amplifiers, 10 speakers
stage equipment: smoke machine
backstage: 10 dressing rooms
climate control: air-conditioned
availability: available for hire

Small Stage

type of venue: studio theatre
main use: drama performances
seating: 150 seats maximum
performing area: 6m W x 9m D x 2.3-3.5m H to grid
lighting: Compulite Spark 4 Top D 512-channel DMX desk, 48 x 2.5kw dimmers
sound: 24:4-channel mixer, 2 power amplifiers, 4 speakers
stage equipment: smoke machine
backstage: 2 dressing rooms
climate control: air-conditioned
availability: available for hire

External links

Ljubljana City Theatre website

Gallery

Theatre performance Osli by Plautus at Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL),

Photo of the performance Usedline (Sediments), directed by Žiga Divjak at Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL). In 2023, the play received a special award from the Week of Slovenian Drama. The jury commended the efficient staging process, and the audience awarded it as the best staging. Photo: Peter Giodani

Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL)

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