“Izraidītie”: izrādes recepcijas salīdzinājums Lietuvā un Latvijā

At the beginning of 2024, director Oskaras Koršunovas’s “Expulsion” production returned to the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre stage after a five-year absence. Based on the play of the same name by Marius Ivaškevičius, the performance was initially staged in 2011 and is often regarded as the most significant theatrical event of the past decade in Lithuania. It addresses the perpetually relevant theme of emigration, focusing on the identity searches of Lithuanians and other emigrants in London, based on authentic stories compiled by the author during his time there. Over time, the production has become a notable phenomenon, attracting attention not only in Lithuania but also internationally. It has toured various international theatre festivals and has been staged in Latvia, with the creative team preserving the original composition of the Lithuanian production. Much like its original at the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, the staging at the Daile Theatre has garnered wide audience acclaim, thereby adding a transnational dimension to the reception of the performance. The article examines the phenomenon of “Expulsion”, with a particular focus on comparing its reception in Lithuania and Latvia. By analysing critical responses from both countries, the article offers insights into how the performance is interpreted across its discursive, narrative, actantial, and ideological dimensions. This deepens the understanding of the spectacle’s local and international significance and contributes to a broader discussion on intercultural relations in the Baltic region. It is concluded that the reception of the performance reveals distinct approaches: in Lithuania, the emphasis is on the collective experience of emigration and its social significance, while in Latvia, more attention is given to exploring individual emigrant identity and the actors’ performance. Additionally, there are notable differences in attitudes toward cultural codes, language use, and audiovisual aesthetics.