Backstage

Boštjan Lah, a renowned Slovenian photographer, tries to catch everyday life’s hidden layers and random moments through the lens of his camera. Following the tradition of the grand masters of street photography, such as Saul Leiter and Alex Webb, Lah searches for unique scenes in which light, composition and spontaneity meet.

His photos are not just documentary shots – they are primordial visual narratives. His expression is based on the direct visual narration where spontaneous scenes mesh with a distinct play of colour components.

The exhibition of Lah’s photos from the 59th Maribor Theatre Festival in 2024 brings an intimate insight into the theatre world – from the preparations backstage to rehearsals and scenes on stage. The images reveal the quiet tension during preparations, playful dynamics between the actors and the crews and minute moments of reflection and concentration before rehearsals. Each photo carries the atmosphere of time and space – from the clothes hangers laden with costumes waiting for people to wear them to the building of scenography and pensive, focused or laughing faces of the performers. His images tell the story of how theatre lives outside the spotlight.

The exhibition is open to the public every day during the festival.