The idea to write a comedy about work came to Dom when he noticed that before the Christmas holidays, among the gifts, you can find all kinds of work calendars. “After all, we usually work for eight hours. If we sleep for eight. Adding weekends means that unemployment takes up more time in our lives. Why is there no calendar for unemployment?”, Domas tells about the beginning of the idea for the performance.
In the center of the performance are stories from the events of doing the strangest jobs. And the collection of works is large: from a comedian on television to a gardener, from a postman in Amsterdam to plowing fields with a horse in a Lithuanian village, a construction worker to a playwright in the Kaunas Drama Theater. Domas says that when he started organizing stand-up comedy shows, it was a genre little known in Lithuania. Although he also had performances on television, comedy was a hobby for a long time. At that time, odd jobs were not only a source of livelihood, but also an inspiration for jokes.
The comedian notices that famous people are often asked about funny events in the theater or music scene. But fun events are inseparable from simple tasks. It is the curious situations of simple works that are the pillars on which the performance rests.
“While writing this play, I realized how much everything has changed. In the first jobs, it was normal for fellow builders to climb off the roof with taps after drinking to collect their wages in envelopes. One colleague even joked that he was afraid to climb the wobbly scaffolding sober,” recalls Dom.
The show will also touch on the issue of job search. If the Employment Service was a shame before, many rediscovered it during the quarantine. Some to change their profession, others to realize their business ideas.
“I wrote to the Employment Service and offered to advertise in my play. He wrote that he passed the information on to the communication department. I have been waiting for an answer since May. But I understand, everyone is busy there,” joked Dom.
Unlike my usual stand-up comedy show, “Nedarbo Kalendorius” will be different in that it will be a coherent narrative that raises questions about work and its meaning. The story will be colored by Dom’s own music. If you are wondering whether it is worth going to the performance, it is a unique opportunity to call Dom on a special number. You will be able to ask questions or simply tell your funny incident at work.
Dom came into the media spotlight in October when he completed a marathon in wooden clogs. Running with clogs was supposed to be an advertisement for the play. However, according to Dom, the preparation took so much time and energy that the promotion could not be integrated.
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**Interview with Domas Raibys: A Comedic Take on Work and Unemployment**
**Editor:** Welcome, Domas! Your new comedy performance is garnering a lot of attention. Could you share what inspired you to explore the theme of work through comedy?
**Domas Raibys:** Thanks for having me! The initial spark came when I noticed all the gift calendars during the Christmas holidays. We spend so much of our lives working—eight hours a day, plus commuting and weekends—yet there’s no representation of unemployment in our lives. It made me wonder, why is there no calendar for unemployment? That thought set the stage for this performance.
**Editor:** That’s an interesting perspective! You mentioned the performance includes stories from various jobs you’ve held. Can you tell us about some of the most unusual ones that inspired your material?
**Domas Raibys:** Absolutely! The collection is quite diverse. I’ve done everything from comedy on TV to gardening and even worked as a postman in Amsterdam. Each job had its own quirks and oddities. I remember working alongside a builder who jokingly said he preferred to climb down the scaffolding with a drink in hand. Those curious situations are the backbone of the performance.
**Editor:** It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey! Comedy is relatively new in Lithuania. How did you navigate establishing this genre in your country?
**Domas Raibys:** When I first started organizing stand-up shows, it was a niche mostly unknown to the public. It took time and a lot of enthusiasm to build an audience. Although I had some performances on TV, comedy was predominantly a hobby for a long time. My odd jobs not only supported me but also provided endless material for jokes, which helped the comedy scene grow.
**Editor:** You also touch on the topic of job searches and the changes in how people perceive employment services. What insights do you hope to share with your audience regarding that?
**Domas Raibys:** Yes, the show explores how our view of employment has shifted. During the quarantine, many rediscovered the Employment Service—it wasn’t seen as shameful anymore. People began to change professions or pursue entrepreneurial ventures. I want to highlight that journey through humor; we all navigate funny, awkward, and challenging situations while seeking employment.
**Editor:** It seems like your comedy not only entertains but also invites reflection on serious issues. What do you hope the audience takes away from your performance?
**Domas Raibys:** Ultimately, I hope the audience leaves with a smile and perhaps a new perspective on their own experiences with work and unemployment. Life is often absurd, and finding humor in our daily struggles can be incredibly healing.
**Editor:** Thank you, Domas! It sounds like your performance will be both hilarious and thought-provoking. We wish you the best of luck!
**Domas Raibys:** Thank you! I’m excited to share these stories with everyone.
