Liepāja Puppet Theatre Selects Ideas by Playwrights and Theatre Producers for New Productions in the Future Seasons

Liepāja Puppet Theatre has wrapped up its call for proposals for playwrights and theatre producers. After careful deliberation, a selection of original ideas to be staged in the upcoming seasons has emerged. These innovative ideas will be brought to life in collaboration with cultural venues, festival organizers, and independent producers, promising a rich and diverse theatrical experience.

The call attracted talented creatives from around the world, each contributing their distinct voice and vision to the textual format and puppet theatre genre. To ensure the best fit, the theatre conducted interviews with the authors of the shortlisted ideas, so that each concept aligns perfectly with the theatre’s artistic goals.

“The interviews were an incredibly enriching experience. They allowed us to glimpse into the global trends and innovations in contemporary puppet theatre. The sheer volume of applications underscores the dynamic spirit of the puppet theatre community and its unwavering commitment to creating fresh, relevant works for both children and adults, while exploring new, groundbreaking forms of expression,” says Edgars Niklasons, Artistic Director of Liepāja Puppet Theatre.

“Summarizing the entries is no simple task, as many tackle pressing and poignant themes such as environmental protection, identity exploration, and the pursuit of courage. Our evaluation focused on the substance and innovation of these ideas, as well as their potential to expand the emotional horizons of our audience. Beyond artistic vision, we also considered practical factors to ensure that the ambitions of Liepāja Puppet Theatre harmonize with our spatial and financial realities,” explains Niklasons.

“Throughout the evaluation process, we established a special category for applications that we’re eager to implement but need additional partners, such as local or international festival organizers and producers. We have several promising ideas that we can present to cultural venues and festival organizers, as well as independent producers,” says Niklasons.

The winners of the play ideas competition include "Francis" by Klāvs Knuts Sukurs, which expores the themes of loneliness and the abrupt transition into adulthood, inspired by the true story of a seven-year-old French boy who spent two years of his life alone, without his family. "Grandpas" by Annija Broniča is a poetic tribute to grandparents, highlighting the challenges of intergenerational communication. Eva Kamčevska's "Dylan Has Lobster" presents an apocalyptic vision of the future, following a young man named Dylan and his companion, Lobster, as they discuss the meaning of life until Dylan is compelled to drink water from his friend's tank to survive.

The theme of growing up makes its appearance also in one of the winning entries, "Metamorphoses" by Rihards Zeļezņevs. In this imaginative play, the protagonist awakens one morning transformed into an insect, sparking fear and anxiety among his family members. Other standout winners include Anna Volčaka's "Čuča Mečovinka" and Gea Gojaka's "The Letter," both of which tackle the subject of war. Volčaka's story uses metaphor to depict the conflict between the little forest guardians, "čuči," and a woodcutter, while Gojaka's narrative focuses on a boy's poignant friendship with a radio, the sole working analogue communication tool during a military crisis. Adding to the diverse mix, Agnes Sunklodaitė's "He's Different!" follows a rat-hippie's quest to find his place in society, challenging conventional norms. Meanwhile, Anta Priedīte's "Jārks" provokes thought with its fundamental question: what truly makes someone a monster – their appearance or their actions?

Liepāja Puppet Theatre has also highlighted several site-specific performances, festival acts, and community engagement pieces. Among their top picks is the installation "Aquarium" by artist duo Marta Matuzeviča and Anna Meldrāja, Māra Uzuliņa's "Water Tower," Ilze Jura's "William," and performances by Erfan Khatibzadeh and Chun Shing Au. Vootel Ruusmaa's "Back Home," Elza Vildaus' "Tales of a Forest," and Patrīcija Visokinska's "Yvonne, Princess of Burgundy" also made the cut.

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