Latvia

• Age 4+
• Duration – 50 min and 1 act. 
• Location – The Chamber Theater

Author – Rūta Briede
Stage director – Edgars Kaufelds
Stage, costume, puppet designer – Rūta Briede
Composer – Jēkabs Nīmanis
Lights designer – Uldis Andersons
Cast – Baiba Vanaga, Anrijs Sirmais, Rūdolfs Apse, Silvija Bitere
Voices – Silvija Bitere, Kaspars Znotiņš, Rūdolfs Apse

Renata is an ordinary, morose neighbor who cannot stand many things in this world, often writes complaints to the city council and grumble about the children’s noisy chatter. She is especially bothered by seagulls, which for some reason loudly intrude her yard. Renata lives in some town’s multi-storey house, in a small apartment, a look inside which allows discovering a very unusual secret. What is Renata really like? Maybe she is just enchanted?

“Does your child know that a nasty neighbor who can’t stand the croaking of seagulls may be an enchanted queen, but an uncle who sings quite off-tune and plays the accordion may turn out to be a loving prince? After watching the play about the seagull queen Renata at the Puppet Theatre, the children will begin to reveal the secrets that live in every person – also both in themselves and their parents.” Inese Zandere

The author of the book “The Queen of Seagulls” Rūta Briede received the Jānis Baltvilks award “Jaunaudze” for debut in children’s literature and book art.

Latvian Puppet Theatre

The early beginnings of the Puppet Theatre date back to the year 1942, when during the war times the National Art Ensemble of the Latvian SSR was formed in the city of Ivanov in Russia. There originates a group of puppeteers, whose shows are watched by evacuated soldiers and Latvian people. On 4 October 1944 the National Puppet Theatre of the Latvian SSR was opened.  

Today Latvia Puppet Theatre is the only theatre in Latvia engaging two acting troupes – Latvian and Russian, thus making a real contribution towards social integration. Latvia Puppet Theatre offers performances of Latvian and world`s classics as well as those of contemporary works of literature. 

In order to maintain high standards of performance, the Theatre engages professional puppeteers, directors and puppet makers, who on a regular basis improve their artistic experience through the workshops with the world`s leading puppetry experts. Everyone, whether a child, youngster or adult, can find an enchanting, enlightening and entertaining performance suitable for all ages.