In the digital age, theatre must exist beyond the stage. To remain relevant and accessible, especially to younger audiences, today’s performances must embrace a digital-first approach—reaching people through the platforms where they spend most of their time.
A compelling example is “Voro vestuvės (Voro veseilia)”, an electro-folk performance-concert for families, produced by Alytus City Theatre and directed by Andra Kavaliauskaitė. The performance is based on the beloved Lithuanian poem “Voro vestuvės” (“The Spider’s Wedding”) by Justinas Marcinkevičius—one of Lithuania’s most celebrated 20th-century authors, known for his poetic and humanistic writing that often explores themes of morality, nature, and justice.
“Voro vestuvės” is more than just a play; it is a vibrant and imaginative theatrical experience where music, folklore, and modern soundscapes merge to engage both children and adults. It invites audiences to follow the story of Nojus, a young boy trying to make sense of an unfair world and asking profound questions like:
“Who will help the Sun?”
“Where is my dad?”
These are not just lines from the play—they’re entry points into an emotional dialogue between the performance and its audience. And in the hands of a digital-savvy theatre, these moments can—and should—live beyond the auditorium.
Whether through pre-show music teasers, interactive online content for children, or short video clips that introduce characters and themes, digital tools allow theatres to extend their storytelling and reach new audiences. “Voro vestuvės” could be introduced to audiences far beyond Lithuania through digital distribution, educational resources, or subtitled clips on social platforms.
To thrive today, theatre must become an experience that begins online and culminates on stage. Productions like “Voro vestuvės” show how local stories, rooted in national literature, can find new life and meaning through creative, family-friendly performance and smart digital engagement.
Photography by Arvydas Gudas
Produced by Alytus City Theatre