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On February 17 at Kaunas City Chamber Theatre — a celebration! Director Gytis Padegimas’ comedy “Stones in His Pockets” marks its 10th anniversary. Over a decade, the performance has become one of the most distinctive works in the theatre’s repertoire, earning audience affection and remaining relevant across different generations of spectators.

“Stones in His Pockets” is a sensitive yet ironic story about people in a small village, their dreams, the realities of the entertainment industry, and the search for personal identity. The protagonists are ordinary inhabitants of a rural corner of Ireland, whose lives are turned upside down by the sudden arrival of a Hollywood film crew. The villagers become extras on a film set and gradually realize they are merely small cogs not only in the machinery of filmmaking but also in life itself. Slowly, marginalized and overlooked, they seek solidarity, find one another, and try to lean on each other in order to survive.

The theatre’s sound engineer Gintaras Povilavičius, who has worked on the performance for all ten years, notes that its longevity is unsurprising — the play remains relevant because it speaks about labor conditions, exploitation, empathy, dignity, and standing up for oneself. He also highlights its unusual format, where two actors portray around 15 different characters, making it a rare and engaging theatrical experience.

Reflecting on the decade, the production team points out how the world has changed — from the pandemic to the war in Ukraine, rapid technological development, and growing social uncertainty — while the characters of the play continue their lives, almost resisting the surrounding anxiety. The production emphasizes friendship, solidarity, and mutual understanding as essential values in a fragmented world.

Director Gytis Padegimas adds that the play reminds audiences that life is not a business plan and people are not merely participants in transactions, but beings who need empathy, connection, and dignity.

The performance is also distinguished by its dynamic acting structure, with actors rapidly transforming between multiple roles and maintaining close interaction with the audience — a signature feature that has become its trademark.

Actor Jonas Baranauskas describes the production as an ongoing creative challenge, where each performance is a new experience shaped together with the audience, requiring constant focus and transformation between characters.

The next opportunity to see “Stones in His Pockets” is March 26.