Exactly 5 years ago, we presented the legendary play "America in the Bathhouse" by J. Vilkutaitis-Keturakis. The performance was dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the first public Lithuanian play. Quite unexpectedly, the play became the most popular in the UKT repertoire. It has been performed throughout Lithuania and abroad. It so happened that to celebrate the 5th anniversary we will perform the play for the 60th time.
The first performance was held on 20 August 1899. It was first performed on the first day of the opera in Palanga, in the Count's barn. Directed by Povilas Višinskis and Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė. "America in the Bathhouse" aroused popular interest. It was a kind of self-conscious action of the Lithuanian nation, in which a group of people declared to the world that Lithuanians exist, have their own language and their own land.
The plot of the play is still relevant today. The main character Vincas sews for a settled farmer Bekampis. At the inn, Vincas meets an old acquaintance from his home village, Antanas, who is looking for a virgin. He has his eye on Bekampis' daughter. By the way, Bekampi needs 200 roubles to redeem a bill. To make a profit, Vince takes on the role of intermediary. He persuades Antanas to lend money to Bekampi, because it "will be the best way to become a son-in-law". Agota is fascinated by Vince's stories about America, steals and gives Vince the 200 roubles lent by his father, with which they both promise to escape. Eventually, Vince locks Agota in a sauna and slips off to America alone.
The legendary comedy by J. Vilkutaitis-Keturakis was first performed 120 years ago. To mark this anniversary, we pay tribute to the history of Lithuanian theatre. The performance is performed in the High Saxon dialect.
The performance is donated by the Public Health Bureau of Utena District Municipality
