Solaris is a 2019 science fiction play based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Stanisław Lem, adapted for the stage by David Greig. Its notable feature is different gender of the protagonist, as well as gender-balanced spaceship crew, combating the science fiction male-dominated cliche.[1]

Solaris
Written byDavid Greig
Date premiered3 July 2019 (2019-07-03)
Place premieredMalthouse Theatre, Melbourne
Original languageEnglish
GenreScience fiction
SettingSpace station

Production history

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Solaris has been adapted for the stage by Scottish playwright David Greig, based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Stanisław Lem.[2]

The play is directed by Matthew Lutton,[3] with lighting design by Paul Jackson.[4]

For the production the gender of Dr Kris Kelvin was changed from male to female,[5] with Greig stating that he was modernising the characters and that they could be any gender or background.[6]

On 3 September 2018,[7] it was announced the play would receive its world premiere the following year and would begin previews at the Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne on 28 June 2019, with an official opening night on 3 July.[4][8]

Following the run at the Malthouse Theatre (June 28-July 21, 2019), the play was transferred to the Royal Lyceum Theatre (September 12-October 5, 2019), Edinburgh with whom it is a co-production.[9]

On 27 February 2022, the play received its North American premiere production at Raven Theatre in Chicago.[10]

On 1 September 2023, a Finnish language adaptation (by Aleksi Milonoff) of the play premiered in the Turku City Theatre.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Solaris review – love and loneliness collide in best take yet on sci-fi classic, The Guardian, September 15, 2019
  2. ^ "Playwright David Greig to adapt sci-fi classic Solaris for the Royal Lyceum stage". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne present 'Solaris'". lyceum.org.uk. Royal Lyceum Theatre. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Solaris Season 2019". malthousetheatre.com.au. Malthouse Theatre. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  5. ^ "All the world on stage: David Greig to adapt sci-fi classic Solaris for new Lyceum production". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Solaris to be adapted for the stage by David Greig". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  7. ^ "David Greig to adapt Solaris for the stage". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Malthouse is staging an epic new production of Cloudstreet in 2019". timeout.com. Time Out. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  9. ^ ‘What is Solaris?’: sci-fi classic gets gender-flipped for mainstage adaptation, The Guardian, June 25, 2019
  10. ^ "Griffin Theatre » SOLARIS". Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  11. ^ "Solaris". Turun Kaupunginteatteri. Retrieved 2023-09-10.