Theaters survive the golden age

35 years ago, just days after the restoration of independence, the audience watched the first performance of a free Lithuania – « To be here ». It was the first Oscar Koršunov Theater work he built while he was a student.

« My first performance is the following text: ‘What could change the course of events not only on Earth but also in other worlds? » The answer is the mouse. That performance changed my whole life and became that mouse, ”said Oscar Koršunov, theater director.

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The performance also turned upside down the theater culture of the country – becoming a symbol of the newly reborn state. And when they received international recognition, some of the spectators’ halls were no longer free chairs, so some watched it while standing.

« There was a moratorium at the Youth Theater – it showed no plays and it was not possible to get there. The audience just hanging on the ceiling, » Koršunov recalled.

Martynas Budraitis, the head of the National Drama Theater, recalled that it was a difficult period for the theater community – most of the halls were empty then.

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« Probably these were the hardest times not only in the theater, but also in our young state. And now both the state and its people are going through their best times.

Today, the major theaters in the country have to fight for tickets. After announcing a new performance, opera or ballet, the best places in the halls are reserved instantly.

« Our theater really is experiencing the golden age – every night the hall is full, » said Audrius Kundrotas, Deputy Head of the National Opera and Ballet Theater.

Mr Kundrotas said that the biggest foreign theaters cannot believe that so many spectators visit such a small country – Lithuanian – Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theater.

« Theater filling is very large – on average, 98 % of the world’s or European theaters can boast of this achievement, » he said.

Most performances have to buy tickets a few months ago and the most popular ones have been bought half a year ago.

« Expulsion » is unbeatable – four performances will be shown in June and there are almost no tickets to them, « Budraitis said.

It is not just the capital’s theaters that survive the golden age. At Panevezys Juozas Miltinis Drama Theater, spectators from the surrounding cities arrive even with ordered buses.

Theater is like a sport – it is much determined by success. Successful actors and directors live from their activities.

« I really like when we announce the sale of tickets and after two days I hear that almost all tickets are no longer tickets to the island, » said Antanas Venckus, Head of Panevėžys Juozas Miltinis Drama Theater.

Ticket prices are rising – the most expensive tickets for the performance cost around € 150. At the same time, the salaries of actors and directors are increasing. Actors earn on average about 1.1 thousand. in hand. In addition, they receive an extra reward for each play – between € 40 and € 80, depending on the role. Similar salaries prevail in all the major theaters in the country.

O. Koršunov emphasized that it is already possible to earn a living in the theater.

« Whoever is dedicated – living. Theater is like a sport – it is a lot of success. Successful actors and directors live from their activities, » he said.

According to O. Koršunovas, the state’s contribution is also important for theaters – he hopes that even in the most difficult periods theater will not be forgotten in Lithuania.