Play NOCTURNE

Director: Gytis PADEGIMAS Play: Adam RAPP "Nocturne" Set design: Birutė UKRINAITĖ Cast: Dovydas STONČIUS, Albinas BUDNIKAS Translated from English by: Aivaras MOCKUS One of Lithuania's most prolific directors, having staged over 100 plays in Lithuania and abroad, Gytis Padegimas, together with theater, film, and television actor Dovydas Stončius, presents the tragic play "Nocturne" in major Lithuanian bookstores and libraries, telling a story about the importance of forgiveness in life. "The only thing that cannot be forgiven is unforgiveness," says director Gytis Padegimas, quoting French writer Romain Gary to define the main idea of the play. According to him, the theme and problem of forgiveness are becoming increasingly relevant. "We know how to blame, but we don't know how to forgive." The play is based on the play of the same name by American writer, playwright, and director Adam Rapp, in which a 32-year-old character painfully relives a tragic accident that occurred in his adolescence. Desperately seeking redemption for a decade and a half, he struggles to cope with pain and alienation. "The play speaks about the fact that even after painful events related to loss, there must be repentance, apology, and mercy," states the play's director. "By writing a book, the play's protagonist relives his painful past, but at the same time destroys resentment and negative experiences. Writing allows him to return to a full life." The protagonist will open up his experiences and wounds in order to heal them and help others heal. "Open dialogue will help heal the traumas that fill everyone's public and personal life," the director asserts. In 2019, actor DOVYDAS STONČIUS was awarded a FORTŪNA diploma for his role in the play. * "Both the venue of the play, and especially the directorial concept, and every word uttered by Dovydas, the raising of an eyebrow, a smile mixed with suffering, and a significant pause, silence, and the father's (A. Budnikas) lament and timid gesture of the hand—everything merged into an enchanting whole, penetrating the furthest corners, vibrating all the strings of the senses..." * "The play is excellent. A very strong play. If you have experienced a lot, lived through a lot, you find various close connections in this material, you 'immerse' yourself even more. Dovydas Stončius's acting is organic, simple, but convincing. He is very well-suited for this role. And there is nothing to say about Albinas Budnikas – a classy, excellent artist! And excellent direction. The play seems to release the audience from tension; that interaction with the actor, the coffee, the very impressive moment – the turning of the chairs, and on the other hand – such silence, the audience is so focused that the silence even rings. I haven't 'heard' such silence in a long time... Maybe because the space is small... A bookstore is very suitable for that. So, it is a joy to see a deep, good play. Thank you!" Aldona Ruseckaitė – poet, prose writer, museum curator The creation of the play was partially funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.