The Dailes Theatre in Riga is preparing to stage a new production of “Runcis Zābakos” (Puss in Boots), opening March 20, 2026, featuring actors Sintija Ceplauska and Daniela Muižniece in the role of the feline protagonist. The production marks a significant debut for a team of emerging artists, including director Mārtiņš Meiers, scenographer Emīls Jansons, choreographer Sintija Skrabe, and dramaturgs Patrīcija M. Keiša and Aleksandrs Barons.
The staging of the classic tale, based on the Latvian folk story and popularized by the Brothers Grimm, is described as an effort to recapture a sense of “singing, playful, and creatively free collaboration,” according to promotional materials. The production team is emphasizing the energy and enthusiasm of the Dailes Kursa, a youth program associated with the theatre.
“Runcis Zābakos” tells the story of a young man who inherits only a cat from his father’s estate. The cat, through cunning and resourcefulness, elevates his master to a position of wealth and nobility. The tale, as recounted in a version available on Pasakas.net, centers on a miller’s three sons and the fate of the youngest, who receives the cat as his inheritance. The cat, determined to improve his master’s fortune, acquires boots and employs trickery to secure favor with the king.
A Dailymotion video of the tale describes it as a “legendary Latvian folk tale” suitable for both bedtime stories and family entertainment, highlighting its themes of cleverness, courage, and a happy ending. The production at the Dailes Theatre aims to bring this familiar narrative to life on the theatre’s main stage, representing a first-time experience for the entire creative team.
The YouTube announcement for the production emphasizes anticipation for the performances beginning March 20th, and highlights the dual casting of Ceplauska and Muižniece as the cat.
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