| Abstract [eng] |
Contemporary theatre is becoming an increasingly important platform for social criticism, where elements of reality are integrated into artistic expression, opening up opportunities to reflect more deeply on complex societal issues. This master’s thesis analyzes the play “Sirenų tyla” (directed by Laura Kutkaitė, written by Teklė Kavtaradzė), which is especially relevant in today’s cultural and social context as it addresses sensitive topics such as psychological and sexual violence against female actors and power dynamics within theatre institutions. The main issue concerns the authenticity of real-life facts, or, more precisely, the question of how authentic documentary storytelling and testimony on stage remain when they become subjects of theatrical language, direction, and aesthetics. The problem lies in the tension between fiction and reality. The aim of this thesis is to explore how the reality of theatre is conveyed in “Sirenų tyla”, particularly through the documentary narratives presented in the performance. This master’s thesis applies a semiotic approach to performance analysis, using cultural semiotician Yuri Lotman’s “text within a text” model and intertextual analysis. Based on the analysis of the performance, it becomes clear that the testimonies acquire a theatrical status and begin to function as part of the fiction, while still maintaining their authentic emotional intensity. This principle in the performance demonstrates that fiction and reality overlap, support each other, and that their boundaries are constantly shifting. Authenticity in this performance arises not from the reliability of the source, but from the artistic form’s ability to embody and convey experience. |
