Panevėžys Musical Theatre, together with the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, presents “The Batwing” by Austrian composer Johann Strauss – one of the most prominent masterpieces of the 19th century Viennese operetta genre, which has continued to fascinate the world for more than a century and a half. This performance is the third premiere of the Panevėžys Musical Theatre’s anniversary season and the first production of “The Batwing” on this stage. 

The creative team consists of experienced artists: the director of the performance is Jūratė Sodytė, a movement and opera director with international experience, the set designer is Andrėja Puskunigytė, the costume designer is Marija Petraitytė, a rapidly rising artist of the young generation. The musical director and conductor is the famous Lithuanian conductor Martynas Staškus. The Panevėžys Musical Theatre orchestra and choir will perform, and the soloists are both well-known singers of Lithuanian theatres and young LMTA master’s students. “The operetta “The Bat” by composer Johann Strauss is, first of all, music of amazing beauty. In this production, we sought to maintain the style of the Romantic era, but we seasoned it with an avant-garde flavor, giving the performance a modern feel. And a witty look at the backstage life of high society will give the audience an evening full of great impressions, laughter and good mood,” said director Jūratė Sodytė about the new production. 

“The Bat” is a subtle social comedy, full of masterfully created characters, light irony and playful situations that reveal human weaknesses. The action revolves around the main character Gabriel von Eisenstein, who, instead of serving an eight-day sentence in prison, goes to a chic party, thus involving the characters in a web of deception, disguise and revenge. The operetta is performed in Lithuanian (translation – Antanas Drilinga). The production is distinguished not only by its musical liveliness and dramaturgical consistency, but also by its exceptional visual solution: costumes and scenography created especially for this performance will give “The Bat” a modernity and aesthetic appeal. The premiere of “The Bat” was not prepared by chance: this year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Waltz King Johann Strauss, so this production becomes a symbolic sign of respect for one of the world's most famous composers.