Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL)

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

Founded in 1949, the 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 35 permanent actors, staging 9 of its own productions and at least 2 co-productions per year. The theatre focuses mainly on contemporary drama performances and recently on the production of (drama) musicals.

Overview

The Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL) aims to offer critical and communicative performances of different genres and performing principles that respond to contemporary concerns. Working with leading domestic theatre actors and directors, the theatre's repertoire is oriented mainly towards contemporary drama, including works of international and Slovenian playwrights. In addition, Ljubljana City Theatre has a policy of consistently nurturing contemporary Slovenian drama (staging plays of Slovenian playwrights, such as Evald Flisar, Matjaž Zupančič, Milan Jesih, Simona Semenič, including some of their Slavko Grum Award-winning works).

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 was also known for 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.

The theatre's productions are presented at Slovenian theatre festivals and often awarded for ensemble and individual achievements.

Production and touring

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. MGL has entered co-productions with the Slovenian National Theatre Drama Ljubljana, Cankarjev dom Culture and Congress Centre, Imaginarni Institute, etc. and received awards at all major Slovenian theatre festivals such as the Maribor Theatre Festival, the Week of Slovenian Drama and Days of Comedy.

Uroš Smolej- Willkomenn by prodoktv on YouTube

The theatre tours frequently throughout Slovenia and also appears and is awarded at international theatre festivals. The theatre also hosts guest appearances of national and international performances.

The 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 International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (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 one hundred fifty titles; each year at least two new books are added.

Venues

Located in the strict city centre, MGL has three performance venues: the Main and Small Stages and the 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 production Usedline (Sediments), directed by Žiga Divjak at Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL). In 2023, at the Week of Slovenian Drama, the jury commended its efficient staging process and awarded it a special jury award. It also earned the festival's Audience Award for the best production. Photo: Peter Giodani

Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL)

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