2nd – 5th October, 6:30pm, (2:30pm Matinees on Saturday and Sunday 4th & 5th October), The Barbican Centre

Book Tickets here: ROHTKO | Barbican

One of the biggest scandals in the art world lies at the heart of this ground-breaking production. In 2004, a couple bought a painting by Mark Rothko for $8.3 million. Years later, it turns out to be not by Rothko himself, but by a Chinese maths teacher from Queens who also forged works by Jackson Pollock. Can a fake painting evoke real feelings? What is real art and what is it worth? 

With pumping techno beats, two huge video screens and stunning set design, the creators of ROHTKO search for answers, with philosopher Byung-Chul Han’s book Shanzhai: Deconstruction in Chinese on the value of real and fake. 

Following his sold-out production The Employees at Southbank Centre in January 2025, this stunning UK premiere is brought to life by Dailes Theatre (Latvia) in collaboration with Twarkowski’s close creative team and actors from Latvia, Poland and China.

Running time: 3 hours and 55 minutes, including a 25-minute interval

Age guidance: 14+

The show is performed in Latvian, English, Chinese and Polish with English surtitles.

This production contains smoking, loud and occasionally sudden music, haze, strobe lighting and flashing lights.

Book Tickets here: ROHTKO | Barbican

ROHTKO was first premiered on 12th March 2022 at Dailes Theatre, Riga, Latvia.

Presented by the Barbican with the support of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and Polish Cultural Institute in London. Part of the UK/Poland Season 2025.

Production Dailes Theatre, Riga – Latvia. In co-production with JK Opole Theatre – Poland and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.

Image credits: Artūrs Pavlovs