The Man and the Tyrant
Theatre performance, 2024 - ongoing
Welcome to the experiment.
The Man and the Tyrant is an immersive theatre performance that explores core societal values through the lens of personal transformation and political reflection. Inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s short story Tyrants Destroyed, the performance examines themes such as free will, power, cruelty, and responsibility.
Set in a symbolic, prehistoric environment, the show begins as an interactive experiment: a monkey gradually evolves into human, triggering a search for meaning, justice, and identity. The narrative evolves into a powerful monologue voiced through multiple personas, challenging the audience to confront tyranny, social roles, and the fragility of human ethics.
Created by a collective of independent artists from New East in Daugavpils, the piece is written, directed, and performed by Vadims Bogdanovs, who also plays the central character. The creative team includes Eduards Belnikovs, Jegors Afoničs, Marina Ivanova, Elīna Veinšteina, Alīna Hačetlova, and Jorens Dobkiewicz. The soundscape—featuring music by Vladimirs Sklema and the band Pornofilmy— adds emotional depth and urgency to the performance.
The premiere of The Man and the Tyrant took place at the LAMPA Festival in Cēsis, followed by performances in Daugavpils, Rīga, Narva (Estonia). Each staging is unique, as Bogdanovs actively engages with the audience, allowing their responses to influence the direction and emotional intensity of the performance.
Provocative and experimental, the show deliberately steps away from traditional theatre. It challenges the audience to reflect on justice, societal control, and the role of art in a world shaped by propaganda and authoritarianism.
