Daugavpils Theatre will premiere a new romantic comedy, “Reiz pilnmēness zilgajā gaismā” (Once in the pale light of the full moon), on March 14th at 6:00 PM, directed by Herberts Laukšteins.
The production marks Laukšteins’s debut at the Daugavpils Theatre, according to reports from March 20, 2025. The play is a sentimental comedy, and will feature a Russian-language performance with Latvian subtitles.
Laukšteins is also currently staging another romantic comedy, “Nākamgad tai pašā laikā” (Next Year at the Same Time), at the same theatre. This production, described as a surprising love story about two lovers who remain faithful to a tradition of meeting annually in the same place, is scheduled for its premiere on April 4th. Both productions reflect Laukšteins’s interest in exploring enduring values amidst changing times.
“Nākamgad tai pašā laikā” is based on a 1975 play by Canadian playwright and screenwriter Bernard Slade. Slade’s function received the Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award nomination. The play was also adapted into a film in 1978. Laukšteins has directed this play previously, stating that both times he was drawn to the material by its exploration of values that remain constant even in turbulent periods.
The cast of “Nākamgad tai pašā laikā” includes Aleksandrs Komarovs and Natālija Kotona. The creative team also features scenographer Ivars Noviks, costume designer Gatis Timofejevs, and lighting designer Sergejs Vasiļjevs. The play is set in California between 1951 and 1975, a period marked by significant global events including the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, student unrest, and cultural shifts.
Laukšteins noted that the themes of the play resonate with current times, stating that despite rapid changes and uncertainty, the fundamental human desire for connection remains constant. He previously staged the play in 1991, coinciding with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
