OVALAS

What lies beyond everyday life—going to work, waiting for the weekend and holidays? Passion, commitments and other things that give life meaning. Yet everyone finds it differently. Šiauliai became Lithuania’s rugby capital. When we say “Šiauliai”, we mean specific people for whom sport gave life meaning. When we say “rugby”, we mean dedication, perseverance, helping those in need, and preparing young people for life. But as we create this play, we ask: does great dedication come at a price? Do victories come from virtue alone, or are compromises inevitable? What must one give up to reach a goal? Does it hurt? Does more than a battered body hurt? The play draws on conversations with rugby players, press materials and historical events. It is neither a report nor a document. It is a drama in which reality shines through—the reality that often goes unspoken in conversation. We thank Vaida Pilibaitytė, Sigitas Kukulskis, Gediminas Marcišauskas, Irmantas Kukulskis, Edmundas Ščavinskas, Deividas Taurosevičius, Sergejus Fjodorovas and Augustas Taralis for sharing their stories, experience and knowledge, and for their help in creating “Ovalas”. Premiere: September 24 and 25, 2026. Funded by: