"The Utterly Mild Murder" is a black comedy, staged in Kaunas Chamber Theatre after Ray Bradbury's texts. Ray Bradbury (b. 1920), a famous American author, in world encyclopedias is usually referred to as a writer of science fiction. However, Ray Bradbury calls himself a writer of "ideas", a dreamer. The focus of his fiction is political, philosophical, scientific, ethical ideas, which, with the help of the author's limitless fantasy are carried to the heights of human existence. The performance tells a story about an elderly couple, a husband and a wife, who have spent the whole epoch of love - from rosy newlyweds' euphoria and romantic passion on sunny beaches to the ice age of mutual hatred and emptiness. Being through with all love games and having reached the tranquil old age, they decide to get rid of each other and start a new game, a game with death. The intrigue of the game and the excitement of it might kindle the vital forces, revive the spirit of adventure and help to get rid of boredom and routine; however, their mutual hatred might be strong enough to turn into love.

The creativity of two actors, Aleksandras Rubinovas (Joshua Enderbee) and Goda Piktytė (Girl), resulted (although with rather scarce means) in well-developed characters, precise typical details and unexpected insight into the inner world of the elderly. These characters are funny and, at the same time, frightening in their vast hatred; they exist having the only wish - to get rid of the other, so everything seems to serve this purpose.

The duo of the main actors is a real feast for a soul. The final death scene, which is both professional and subtle, makes us search for the answers to the question "Why?". Why do we become cruel and indifferent? Why and how do we waste noble feelings? Where does the flight of youth vanish?

Youth is exciting; dominating Love is not afraid of shortages or failures. Young lovers Doug Spaulding (Gintautas Bejeris) and Meg Spaulding (Asta Steponavičiūtė) tell the beginning of the now decrepit and revengeful heroes' love story. Both young actors cope with the director's (Stanislovas Rubinovas) task - to persuade the spectator that real Love overcomes all obstacles and conquers everything. The actors scintillate with enthusiasm and superfluous emotions; thus, naturally, the later metamorphosis (from love to hatred) would be difficlut to explain - for this reason another couple appears, Mr. Goury (Egidijus Tamošiūnas) and Mrs. Goury (Daiva Škelevaitė), who represent faded feelings and endless marital fights.

(Translation from Lithuanian). Gediminas Jankus „Nemunas", 2011 01 13, Nr.2

Premiere - September 2010