Incubator

Première 16. 5. 2025, Zgornja dvorana, Slovensko mladinsko gledališče

Running time 1 hour 15 minutes, no intermission.
Surtitles: English

Post-performance discussion with the artists.

Director Oliver Frljić

Text creative team

Dramaturg Goran Injac

Set designer Igor Pauška

Costume designer Slavica Janošević

Assistant director Bor Ravbar

Assistant set designer Demijan Pintarič

Choreography consultant Dragana Alfirević

Lighting designer Kristina Kokalj

Music selection Oliver Frljić

Sound designer Sven Horvat

Language consultant Mateja Dermelj

Stage manager Liam Hlede

Cast
Lina Akif, Daša Doberšek, Klemen Kovačič, Draga Potočnjak as guest, Matej Recer, Blaž Šef, Vito Weis

Special thanks to Bojana Piškur and Erik Valenčič.

The incubator, a critical tool in rescuing premature infants symbolises an unwavering commitment to safeguarding every human life, even those yet to attain biological self-sufficiency. By precisely regulating temperature, humidity, oxygen levels, and minimizing external stimuli, incubators significantly contribute to the survival and healthy development of infants born prematurely.

The theatre exploration interconnects the symbolic value of the incubators and the brutal actuality of the Gaza war. The haunting images of incubators in Al Schiffa’s hospital deprived of power, and the infants left to huddle together for warmth, bring forth a pressing inquiry into the limits of (in)humanity.

Oliver Frljić attempted to create a similar project in Germany, which has been his theatre domicile in the last few years. This proved impossible due to German suppression of any pro-Palestinian voices. So, he reconnected with the Mladinsko Theatre where he created some of his most resonant (and controversial) projects that toured Europe and beyond.