Exploring the Profound Depths of "The Loser"

Alternative stage of the Greece National Opera [ENA] In the intimate confines of the GNO Alternative Stage at the SNFCC, Ektoras Lygizos unveils a hauntingly evocative rendition of Thomas Bernhard's "The Loser," a mesmerizing music-theatre adaptation that delves into the abyss of genius, obsession, and existential despair. Through a tapestry of spoken word and musical interludes, this production transcends conventional narrative boundaries.

The performance is offering a poignant meditation on the intricacies of artistic ambition and the relentless pursuit of perfection. At its core, "The Loser" revolves around the enigmatic figure of Glenn Gould, the legendary Canadian pianist, and two disillusioned Austrian pianists, Wertheimer and the anonymous narrator. Set against the backdrop of an abandoned hotel in Central Europe, the play unfolds as a poignant exploration of friendship, rivalry, and the haunting specter of unfulfilled potential.

Lygizos's directorial finesse imbues the stage with an ethereal quality, as the actors—Aris Balis, Yiannis Niarros, Amalia Moutousi, and Lygizos himself—breathe life into Bernhard's acerbic prose. Balis's portrayal of Wertheimer captures the essence of thwarted ambition and bitter resignation, echoing Gould's taunting designation of "the loser." Niarros embodies Gould with a haunting presence, his performance intertwined with excerpts from Bach's Goldberg Variations—a musical leitmotif that reverberates throughout the narrative.

The production's spatial dynamics are expertly realized through Myrto Lambrou's set design, evoking a sense of haunting desolation that mirrors the characters' inner turmoil. Alkistis Mamali's costumes subtly evoke the era and mood, while Dimitris Kasimatis's lighting design accentuates the interplay between light and shadow—a visual metaphor for the characters' psychological dissonance.

What sets "The Loser" apart is its seamless fusion of spoken dialogue and musical motifs, a testament to the collaborative vision of Lygizos and music consultant Kharálampos Goyós. The piano, central to the narrative, becomes a character in itself, its melodies intertwining with the actors' voices in a symphony of words and notes. As Gould's melodies resonate through the abandoned hotel, the characters confront their existential dilemmas with a raw intensity that cuts to the core of human experience.

Amidst the labyrinthine structure of Bernhard's narrative, Lygizos masterfully navigates the characters' psychological terrain, drawing out their inner contradictions and obsessions. Each actor brings a nuanced complexity to their role, from Moutousi's portrayal of the enigmatic hotelier to Lygizos's introspective narrator, caught in the haunting specter of Gould's genius. Dimitris Mytilineos's choreography infuses the production with a choreographed elegance, enhancing the performative quality of each gesture and movement. Meanwhile, Brian Coon's sound design captures the delicate interplay between silence and melody, underscoring the characters' emotional crescendos.

At its heart, "The Loser" is a profound exploration of the human condition, a poetic testament to the paradoxes of ambition and artistic legacy. Lygizos's visionary adaptation resonates with a haunting beauty, inviting audiences to contemplate the cost of greatness and the enduring echoes of unrealized dreams. In the echo chamber of the abandoned hotel, where shadows dance to Gould's haunting melodies, "The Loser" unfolds as a symphony of longing and resignation.

Through Bernhard's incisive prose and Lygizos's visionary direction, this production transcends mere theatricality, offering a profound meditation on the fragility of genius and the relentless pursuit of artistic transcendence. "The Loser" is a testament to the transformative power of theatre—a haunting elegy that lingers in the mind long after the final notes fade away. In Lygizos's hands, Bernhard's masterwork finds new resonance, illuminating the depths of human longing and the elusive quest for artistic immortality.