Two renowned Russian actresses, Chulpan Khamatova and Renata Litvinova, are set to headline the stage production of “Hell Others” at the New Riga Theater. The project is moving forward under the direction of the theater’s artistic leader, Alvis Hermanis, and is drawn from a text by the famed writer Jean-Paul Sartre. The production will be presented in both Russian and Latvian, reflecting the theater’s commitment to bilingual performance and its cross-cultural audience in the Baltic region.
The project has long been in development, with finances playing a crucial role in its realization. Insiders note that obtaining a feasible budget has been a central hurdle, particularly given the significant fees associated with high-profile cast members. Despite these financial negotiations, the plan remains to bring together a strong cast that can render Sartre’s existential themes with clarity and intensity on stage.
Chulpan Khamatova has built an international reputation through years of prolific work in theater and cinema. Her recent professional choices have included relocations due to geopolitical circumstances, and her current base is Europe, where she continues to engage in demanding stage projects. Renata Litvinova, who has also pursued opportunities beyond her homeland, has spent time in Paris, among other cities, as part of her artistic journey. Both actresses bring a breadth of experience and a deep sensitivity to Sartre’s portrayal of human freedom and responsibility, which will be central to the upcoming staging.
The cast also features local performers Kaimins and Sipeniece, who will collaborate with Khamatova, Litvinova, and Hermanis on this ambitious adaptation. The ensemble approach aims to create a dynamic dialogue across languages and cultural perspectives, enriching the performance for both Latvian audiences and visitors from abroad. The collaboration promises a nuanced exploration of Sartre’s themes, translated into a contemporary stage language that resonates with diverse spectators.
The play’s adaptation for a bilingual audience reflects the theater’s broader mission to present provocative drama that challenges viewers while remaining accessible. By intertwining Russian and Latvian voices in the performance, the production seeks to illuminate the universal questions embedded in Sartre’s work—questions about choice, moral responsibility, and the weight of subjective experience in a shared social world. The theater has emphasized that the staging will maintain fidelity to the original text while benefiting from fresh interpretive angles offered by a multinational cast and a dispositional to experiment with form on the stage.
This project also marks a moment of artistic collaboration across borders, illustrating how contemporary theater can foster dialogue between different artistic communities. The assembly of esteemed performers alongside rising local talent underscores the New Riga Theater’s commitment to elevating bold, thought-provoking drama and making it accessible to a broad audience base. In doing so, the production aims to spark conversations about existential questions in a way that feels immediate and relevant to today’s theatergoers.
In addition to its linguistic and artistic ambitions, the project is viewed as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of contemporary European theater. By galvanizing a diverse cast and navigating funding considerations with a mindful strategy, the show exemplifies how major stage works can move from script to stage even when logistical challenges arise. The anticipated performance stands as a beacon for audiences who value rigorous dramatic inquiry, linguistic expression, and the shared experience of live theater.
Ultimately, the artistic vision for Hell Others at the New Riga Theater centers on delivering a compelling, interpretive encounter with Sartre’s ideas. The production intends to maintain the core philosophical questions of the original while embracing the unique contributions of a multinational cast. Viewers can expect a rigorous, emotionally charged exploration of freedom, responsibility, and the sometimes painful clarity that consciousness brings to the human condition, all conveyed through a hybrid of Russian and Latvian dialogue delivered with precision and vitality on stage.