Premiere of "I Hate That They Eat Too Loud" musical circus play at Liepāja Concert Hall

On 26 April, the Liepāja Great Amber Concert Hall hosted the premiere of the musical circus performance titled "I Hate That They Eat Too Loud", combining contemporary music and circus artistry to explore the thoughts and experiences of teenagers as they navigate the complexities of growing up, and equally adults who could have reflected on their own teenage years.

Drawing inspiration from the perspectives of young people across Latvia, who participated in the international arts laboratory "CirqueMusique", the performance is about their perceptions of the world and their relationships. Through collaborative workshops with musicians and circus artists, the teenagers expressed their hopes, frustrations, and dreams, providing insights into their evolving identities and societal challenges.

Playwright Ance Muižniece did a wonderful job, mastering these reflections into a narrative, tracing the developmental journey of individuals as they grapple with self-acceptance and understanding. The path starts from familial bonds within the close inner circle (me - as part of the family) to friendships and societal expectations in the greater outer circle, the storyline explores these circles of influence before returning to the individual with newfound wisdom.

On stage, the music comes to life through the talents of violinist Agnese Kanniņa, clarinettist Kārlis Catlaks, bass guitarist Jānis Rubiks, percussionist Elīna Endzele, and flautist Liene Dobičina. Complementing the storyline, the set design by Pamela Butāne is brought to fruition by a team of five circus artists. Among them are Norwegian juggler Julian Saether, acrobat Gabriel Skog, and representatives from the Riga Circus School, including jugglers Egils Zvejnieks and Elīna Konrade, as well as juggling clown Mariano Gedwillo. The sound and light experience is is provided by the expert lighting and sound design of Jurģis Ozols and Jānis Straume.

"I Hate That They Eat Too Loud" was made possible through the support of the European Economic Area (EEA) grants and co-financing from the Municipality of Liepāja. It is part of the groundbreaking international CirqueMusique project, spearheaded by "Lielais Dzintars" Ltd., showcasing the creativity and talent of Latvia's cultural landscape.

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