The chamber play "Autumn Story" is a very real, sensitive and at the same time heartbreakingly sad story of friendship between two elderly men. This is an open story about the longing for the love, understanding and compassion of a loved one. The play is based on the popular play "Iron Men" by the Italian playwright Aldo Nicolaj. "Autumn Story" is the first performance specially created for the Teatro Mažajai Hall.
The director of the play, Juozas Žibūda, invited experienced colleagues to play roles in this play: Vladas Baranauskas, Saulias Eduardas Pauliukonis, Silvija Povilaitytė and Irena Liutikaitė. Accordionist Edmundas Ambraziūnas helps them and plays live. The scenography and costumes of the play were created by Vilmantas Dambrauskas, who created a universal suburban scene using frugal but authentic Italian details.
In the center of the play is the everyday life of three elderly people. One late summer afternoon, "in a new block of concrete buildings, on the outskirts of a modern big city," Libero Boca, "a stout old man who looks to be in his seventies," and Luigi Paglia, a similar age, sit on a bench under a tree. Word by word, a conversation begins between the men, eventually growing into a sincere friendship. Meetings in the square become an integral part of their lives, filling the dull everyday life with bright joy of communication. The witty dialogues of the characters are enriched with funny and sad stories, nostalgic memories, hope and disappointment. New colors are given to this male duet by the unexpectedly appearing woman Ambra... "Autumn Story" is a performance that allows you to concentrate on the nuances of the actors' acting, psychological suggestiveness and stage partnership.
According to the director J. Žibūdas, the most important thing in this story is the human connection: "The play talks about the fact that, regardless of age, it is important to have someone you can fully trust and believe in." If you have a reliable person next to you who - you know - will not betray or disappoint you, you will always feel a solid foundation in life. We often think that we will be worthy of retribution in old age just because we have worked hard and sacrificed ourselves all our lives. But, unfortunately, this does not mean that you will definitely receive this reward. The characters in the play are very lonely, and you can blame their relatives or society for that, but maybe you should also look at yourself? Relationships are created and should be cherished. I find it sad and funny at the same time when the characters in the play decide to take care of each other themselves. They find a romantic way to escape from their environment. I am moved by such dedication of the characters - after all, you run not so much for yourself, but for someone else."
Lyrical, sensitive, but told with light humor, "Autumn Story" sounds particularly relevant today in our society, where the needs of an aging person are often not listened to and human dignity is neglected.
