Latvian Theatre Showcase

The upcoming Latvian Theatre Showcase is taking place from November 7th to 10th in Riga. We invite you to join us for this exciting event, where you will have the opportunity to discover the fresh and innovative work of the Latvian theatre artists.

Last year, one of SKATE's guests asked us: What would each of us personally consider the most important aspect of Latvian culture, if not the theatre? Perhaps, it is the deep connection that every inhabitant of the country has with nature—the sea, the dunes, the forrest, they are a part of life. And, of course, music. For example, the Latvian Song and Dance Festival is the most popular cultural event in the country.

When it comes to theatre, it is essential to support new dramaturgy. After all, that’s the foundation upon which theatre is built.

This is how the idea for this year's SKATE programme came about. We want to showcase the development of drama in Latvia—not only through new original plays but also through drama that incorporates the artist's non-verbal expressions: music, dance, and visual arts. Additionally, we want to highlight how texts by well-known authors resonate on Latvian stages today and how they reflect the present-day public mood.

From this, the three directions of our programme took shape, each offering a variety of proposals.

We have also narrowed down our selection to focus on the names of the artists we are presenting. Each director and author featured in the programme is represented by only one work. This selective approach provides a comprehensive picture of Latvian theatre today, while leaving room for new experiments in future programming. In the future, we hope to once again bring together guests from different countries and showcase Latvian theatre from fresh perspectives—like a jewel that changes and reveals its beauty in every variation.

Looking forward to meeting you in the Latvian Theatre Showcase 2024! 

Jenia and Maija