Fall theater repertoirs across Latvian stages feature diverse new productions designed for audiences ranging from toddlers to teenagers.
- The theater troupe Kvadrifrons tackles dental hygiene in “Zobu fejas,” a detective story for children losing their milk teeth.
- Latvian Puppet Theater presents “Kūņoties” for toddlers aged one and older, utilizing abstract movement and music by Anris Sirmis.
- Riga Chekhov Russian Theatre stages “Princešu olimpiskās spēles,” an object theater play directed by Edgars Kaufelds.
Theater troupe “Kvadrifrons” addresses oral health in “Zobu fejas,” targeting children currently losing their milk teeth. The production follows fairies Mirdza and Dzidra as they investigate stolen teeth inside the oral cavity. Actresses Anta Aizupe and Ance Strazda play the lead roles, while Āris Matesovičs and Reinis Boters continuously transform into various characters including Blombi, Ūks, and the tongue.
The production teaches dental care without didactic elements while amusing both children and adults.
Latvian Puppet Theater presents director Anna Ivanova’s “Kūņoties,” continuing a trend of staging productions for very young viewers. The theater set the age threshold starting at one year old. Actors Dana Avotiņa-Lāce and Miķelis Žideļūns work with various objects in a space with absolute freedom and music performed live by Anrijs Sirmis.
The production benefits families attending together with children. However, weekday morning performances see low attendance from fathers.
British director Russell Dean stages “Parks, soliņš un kaka” for audiences aged eight and older. Dean leads the “Strangeface” puppet company, utilizing masks with grotesque expressions.
The performance contains no spoken text across multiple narrative lines set in an urban park. Five actors wear masks to play at least two roles each, accompanied by music from Edgars Mākens.
Mihail Čehov Riga Russian Theatre presents “Princešu olimpiskās spēles,” directed by Edgars Kaufelds based on Pireta Raud’s stories. The production uses object theater to encourage children’s imaginations using everyday items. Adriana Tatjana Začeste portrays a character facing unreadied princesses before the games begin.
The production features competitive elements and intrigues typical of royal characters. The theater provides content descriptions in Latvian for the Russian-language performances.
| Production | Target Audience | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| “Zobu fejas” | Children losing milk teeth | Kvadrifrons |
| “Kūņoties” | Ages 1 and older | Latvian Puppet Theater |
| “Princešu olimpiskās spēles” | Children | Mihail Čehov Riga Russian Theatre |
Latvian Puppet Theater schedules the premiere of Reinis Suhanovs’ “Raudot aug skropstas” for adolescents on November 13. Dirty Deal Teatro premieres “vai vieni?” on the same day, featuring artists Kristīne Tukre and Dzintars Lipors using kokle music and movement.
