August 5, 2026 Shards, 2025
Premiered at the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, as part of the VERSMĖ Drama Festival
November 30, 2025

Shards by Eglė Elena Murauskaitė and Vaiva Grainytė reimagines the foyer of the National Drama Theater as a timeless space for convalescence, with S. Kuzma’s iconic sculpture cast as an interdisciplinary therapist. The play blends historical conflict experiences, as recounted and reflected upon by fighters, civilians, and non-human beings. Afghanistan and Yemen, Ukraine and Kosovo, World Wars and crusades – the characters consider the heroic myths repeating across time and space, the impulse to belittle and dehumanize the enemy – which, upon close contact, turns out to be uncomfortably like oneself. The play deconstructs the prevalent Lithuanian narratives concerning war, zooming in on the paradoxical and the routine, de-throning the heroes and expanding the lens, presenting a varied spectrum of female characters, LGBTQ+ experiences, and giving voice to war-ravaged nature.
Text – Eglė Elena Murauskaitė and Vaiva Grainytė
Direction – Eglė Elena Murauskaitė and Vaiva Grainytė
Assistant Director – Bartė Liagaitė
Set Design Concept – random heroes
Lighting Design – Dainius Urbonas
Costume Design – Diana Barkovskaja
Cast: Povilas Budrys, Rasa Samuolytė, Jurga Kalvaitytė, Marius Repšys, Vaidilė Juozaitytė, Martynas Nedzinskas, Žygimantė Jakštaitė