Topical

Spring at the Latvian Puppet Theatre will begin with energy and excitement — on 6 March, the premiere of Lotte from Gadgetville will take place, created for families with children aged 4 and up.

The story of Lotte, created by Estonian writer Andrus Kivirähk and artist Heiki Ernits, has been well known to Latvian audiences since the 2006 Latvian–Estonian co-produced animated film.

Gadgetville is a place where everyday life unfolds among buzzing machines and ambitious experiments that do not always succeed on the first try. This is where little Lotte lives — convinced that every single day can turn into a true adventure. Together with her friends and family, she experiences a summer filled with learning judo, inventing and mastering electricity, testing courage, and discovering how difficult it can sometimes be to say what matters most.

Director Rūdolfs Gediņš explains: “At the beginning of the performance, Lotte’s friend Bruno says, "Just let me invent for myself how to live this colourful life," and I believe this largely captures what Lotte from Gadgetville is about. How to invent a life that feels exciting and meaningful to you, how to stand up for your right to do so, and how to find the courage. And ultimately, how to accept that the lives invented by others may differ from what seems right to me.”

Many still remember The Colourful March, a song that continues to echo in audiences’ minds even twenty years after the film’s release. In honour of the stage production, singer and composer Renārs Kaupers has created new songs that will be performed alongside the beloved compositions from the animated film.

Lotte from Gadgetville is a warm, family-oriented performance about togetherness, trust, and the relationships between children and parents — about learning both to look after one another and to let others follow their own path. The creative team approaches this unofficial treasure of the Latvian cultural canon with respect and care. “We are not trying to reinterpret the story in a contradictory way or ‘highlight its darker sides,’ but to ensure it remains intact on its journey to the theatre stage,” says director Rūdolfs Gediņš.

Creative team: Director Rūdolfs Gediņš, playwright Klāvs Mellis, set and costume designer Justīne Jasjukeviča, composer Renārs Kaupers, lighting designer Reinis Zalte

Cast: Baiba Vanaga, Lienīte Podskočija, Malgožata Apse, Krists Jēkabsons, Mārtiņš Gailis, Miķelis Žideļūns

Premiere on 6 March at the Latvian Puppet Theatre, Main Hall. More information available here!