Political Scientist Linda Curika Performs Stand-Up as Her Character Džemma Sudraba
Political scientist and communications specialist Linda Curika, 44, is performing this autumn in the stand-up show "Sieviete, saņemies!" (Woman, Get a Grip!) as her stage persona Džemma Sudraba. She says the character has made her braver.
Linda Curika, a 44-year-old political scientist and communications specialist, is taking the stage this autumn in the stand-up show "Sieviete, saņemies!" (Woman, Get a Grip!). She performs as her comic persona Džemma Sudraba and uses the show to poke fun at the demands placed on the so-called fairer sex. Curika spoke about the show and the character with the Latvian magazine Ir.
A character who keeps the wig on
During the interview, Džemma came down the stairs of her home in Pārdaugava, a district of Rīga on the left bank of the Daugava river. She wore a grey-blonde wig, dramatic make-up and a colourful dressing gown. The photo shoot was over, but Curika kept the wig on, even while drinking tea at the round kitchen table. As a result, it was sometimes hard to tell whether Džemma or Linda was speaking.
That may be because, over the 13 years since Linda began creating stand-up shows, the two personalities have become so intertwined that they can no longer be told apart. Curika herself says that through Džemma's mouth she has learned to say what she is afraid to say herself, and that the character has helped her become braver.
Books as inspiration
The shelves in the kitchen, which is combined with the living room, are crammed with books. Their titles deal with awakening femininity, women at their peak and similar subjects. "This is where I draw inspiration," the stand-up creator said with a smile. According to her, the wiser books are kept on the third floor of the house.
