The Liepāja Theatre is preparing to lift the curtain on a production that is as much a sensory experience as it is a theatrical one. Titled “What Could Be Better Than This?” (Kas var būt labāks par šo?), the play delves into the kaleidoscopic life of Mārtiņš Rītiņš, the chef who didn’t just cook for Latvia—he taught the nation how to eat, how to laugh at itself, and how to find beauty in the simplest ingredients. Under the direction of Inga Ungure, making her debut at the Liepāja stage, the production is set to premiere on May 23, offering a poignant look at a man whose influence stretched from the iron ore mines of England to the highest banquets of global diplomacy.
From the Midlands to the Baltic Coast
To understand the man at the heart of this production, one must look back to Corby, Northamptonshire. Born in a refugee camp and raised in the industrial heart of the English Midlands, Rītiņš’s early life was defined by the displacement of the post-war era. His journey was a winding one, taking him through the kitchens of Canada, Jamaica, and Saudi Arabia before he finally arrived in his ancestral homeland of Latvia in the early 1990s.
He was 42 years old when he landed in Riga, carrying with him several “lived lives” and a vision that would fundamentally alter the Latvian culinary landscape. At a time when the country was rediscovering its identity after decades of Soviet occupation, Rītiņš introduced ingredients and techniques that were entirely foreign, while simultaneously reviving traditional flavours that had been long forgotten. He was a provocateur and an educator, famous for his ability to “take a salmon out of the fridge even when there is nothing in the house”—a phrase that became a national shorthand for his boundless optimism and resourcefulness.
Beyond Biography: A Sensory Interpretation
The creative team at Liepāja Theatre is quick to clarify that this is not a traditional biographical or documentary play. Instead, it is an evocative interpretation—a “taste journey” with stops at significant milestones in Rītiņš’s life. Dramaturg Laila Burāne explains that the script was born from a collaborative process involving the actors and the creative team, who spent months digging through archives, watching old cooking shows, and interviewing those who knew him best.
The play draws heavily from Linda Apse’s book “De Profundis – Mārtiņš Rītiņš” and Astrīde Rozīte’s “A Cookbook for Mārtiņš,” as well as the rich archive of his television appearances. The result is a work that explores the various roles food plays in our lives—from the intimacy of a mother’s milk to the high-stakes pressure of a state banquet for world leaders. It captures the man who was a “rascal” to his mother, a “boss” to his staff at the legendary Vincents restaurant, and an “old crab” to his closest friends.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Director Inga Ungure expresses a deep fascination with people driven by singular, burning ideas. For Rītiņš, that fire was the art of taste and the culture of enjoyment. The production aims to reflect his “full-blooded” personality, complete with his eccentricities and contradictions. It is a story told in vivid colours, where the element of play is central to the narrative structure.
The ensemble cast includes Rolands Beķeris, Gatis Maliks, Agnese Jēkabsone, Polina Čerņenoka, Mārtiņš Kalita, Santa Breikša, Armands Kaušelis, Valts Skuja, Kārlis Artejevs, and Hugo Puriņš. They work within a visual world created by set designer Austra Sniķere and costume designer Berta Vilipsone-Ieleja. The atmosphere is further heightened by the choreography of Kristīne Brīniņa and an original score by composer Edgars Raginskis.
Premiere and Performance Schedule
The premiere on May 23 marks a significant moment in the Latvian cultural calendar, celebrating a figure who remains a household name. For those wishing to engage more deeply with the production, the performance on May 24 will be followed by a special Q&A session with the creative team, providing insight into how they translated Rītiņš’s culinary legacy into a theatrical language. An additional performance is scheduled for May 30, concluding the initial run for this season.
Source: Liepājas valstspilsētas pašvaldība
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