THE PRODIGAL SON

“In Latvian drama The Prodigal Son is one of the most powerful works about the meeting of youth and maturity. For me, personally, the relationship between parents and children is one of the most important issues in this play. As a father of two children, I also wonder what it will be like to let them into adult life – what emotions, mistakes and moments of guilt will I encounter then… In my opinion, moments of shared happiness are irreplaceable,” Reinis Suhanovs is convinced. The director believes that when new actors enter the theatre, the choice to stage this play is self-evident. Reinis Suhanovs calls Blaumanis’ masterpiece programmatic and is staging it for the second time at the Valmiera Theatre.

The play is about the importance of talking, of having any conversation at all. It is then that you can unbend the tree, not strain the ‘threads’ of silence and spite until tragedy. About repaying debts in all senses – to the innkeeper, to your father, to life, to yourself. This emphasis is particularly important for the director in his new interpretation.

The play has won 5 Spēlmaņu Nakts 2023/2024 Awards:

▪️ Small Form Performance of the Year

▪️ Director of the Year – Reinis Suhanovs

▪️ Actress of the Year – Māra Mennika as Roplainiete

▪️ Musical Work of the Year – Jēkabs Nīmanis

▪️ Audience Choice Award

The play has received nominations in the following Spēlmaņu Nakts 2023/2024 categories:

▪️ Young Stage Artist of the Year – Krišjānis Strods for the role of Krustiņš

▪️ Supporting Actress of the Year – Elīna Vāne for the role of Aža

▪️ Costume Designer of the Year – Anna Heinrihsone

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The production was created with the support of the Borisa and Ināras Teterevu Foundation during the theatre’s centenary season (2023/2024). Theatre lovers were introduced to new productions based on the classics of Latvian drama. This season, the staging of four works has been made possible thanks to the financial contribution of the Foundation. These are Joseph and His Brothers by Rainis (directed by Inese Mičule), The Widow’s Son by Vilis Plūdons (directed by Viesturs Roziņš), The Boys of Valmiera by Pāvils Rozītis (directed by Jānis Znotiņš) and The Prodigal Son by Rūdolfs Blaumanis (directed by Reinis Suhanovs).

The support for the 2023/2024 season is a gift from the Borisa and Ināras Teterevu Foundation to Valmiera Theatre on its centenary and an investment in its journey from its temporary home in the contemporary art space Kurtuve to the renovated and modernised theatre building on Lāčplēša Street.

Photo: Matīss Markovskis