COLONY ANTICA (2026)

Passing through the heavy metal doors of Lukiškės Prison’s Conversion, you enter an isolated, mythical city-colony. This is not a dystopia as distant as it might seem at first glance. Heroes of ancient Greek tragedies, imprisoned in their own inner prisons, relive the eternal stories of myth again and again.

Is this a compelling antiquity, a dangerously recognizable present, or a pre-programmed future? Or is it all the same?

Taking place simultaneously across several floors of Lukiškės Prison, Colony Antica allows audiences to move freely and choose their own experiential route. You will be guided by as many as nine heroes of ancient Greek drama. Trust them and let yourself be led forward into the past, experiencing it as closely as you wish.

Photographs: Mantas Repečka

Colony Antica is inspired by ancient Greek tragedy and philosophy. At the center of this immersive performance lies the cycle of eternal renewal: rigid forms shattered by turmoil, stoic order engulfed by chaos, opening up a state of new possibilities. Narrative fragments emerging throughout the spaces allow each viewer to construct a unique story, experienced from multiple perspectives. In Colony Antica, we consciously move away from the conventional theatre format, creating conditions and inviting the audience to experience ritual as a form of survival.

Premiere - January 30–31, 2026

Director and playwright - Paulius Markevičius

Performers - Emilija Dūdaitė, Gytis Ivanauskas, Oksana Griaznova, Pijus Ganusauskas, Rokas Petrauskas, Rokas Siaurusaitis, Simonas Dovidauskas, Sofija Gedgaudaitė, Vilma Raubaitė, Aina Gasiūnaitė, Ignas Algirdas Stanys, Liepa Strazdaitė

Assistant Director - Justina Biekšaitė

Movement - Ieva Navickaitė

Music - Ernestas Kaušylas

Scenography - Sigita Šimkūnaitė

Lighting Design - Martynas Norvaišas

Costume Design - Fausta Naujalė

Make-up Artist - Karolina Rukšnaitytė

Technical Director - Povilas Laurinaitis

Producer - Inga Galvanauskaitė

Project Coordinator - Gabrielė Pelakauskaitė

Communication - Goda Urbonaitė

Graphic Designer - Art Belikov

Music excerpts used:

Jessica Shy – 1000 vėtrų

An Tul – Blade

Lukiškės Prison 2.0 Team - Martynas Butkevičius and Povilas Oželis

Media Partner - LRT.lt

General Sponsors - Dexo Profile and Joldija

Funded by - Lithuanian Council for Culture

Project Partners - Vilnius City Municipality, Kvapai verslui