The play-reading is in Estonian with English translation. You can access the translation via QR code onsite or receive a printed version.
September 5th
12:00–13:30 THREE WOMEN – Judith by A. H. Tammsaare, Colonel’s Widow by Juhan Smuul, and The Bridge by Jaan Tätte
Three fictional female characters created by male authors. Tender, strong, enigmatic, independent, passionate, going through fire and water for their truth and justice. Three nuts to crack for the directors and three dream roles for every actress.
Directed by Maria Peterson, read by Riina Maidre, Anne Reemann, Liina Olmaru, Lena Barbara Luhse, Maria Ehrenberg and Karol Kuntsel, music by Krista Citra Joonas.
14:00–15:30 THREE DEPARTURES – The Faith in Emperor by Henrik Visnapuu, The Colours of Clouds by Jaan Kruusvall, and The Suitcase by Eero Epner and Riina Maidre
People have left Estonia because of faith, power, love, painful memories. Is the pain of loss greater for those who stay than for those who go? The burden of memories bites and weighs. Empty lands and houses cry out for their habitants.
Directed by Birgit Landberg, read by Kaarel Targo, Karl Edgar Tammi and Kristjan Lüüs.
16:00–17:30 THREE ARRIVALS – Against the Water by Christian Rutoff, Cinderellagame by Paul-Eerik Rummo, and Return to Father by Madis Kõiv
Significant places call us back irresistibly. Even when everything seems to be finished. Perhaps something is still unfinished, someone is still waiting, the finishing touches still to be drawn? Or are the most important answers to the question of why things are the way they are hiding there?
Directed by Ivar Põllu, read by Kärt Kull, Maarja Jakobson, Veiko Porkanen and Karol Kuntsel.
18:30–20:00 THREE STORIES OF COMING OF AGE – The Idler by Hugo Raudsepp, Phaeton, the Son of the Sun by Mati Unt, and Emesis by Heneliis Notton
These are not youth stories in the usual sense, but stories about a young person who has fallen into a new, unfamiliar role. Even though one would so much like to go back to a carefree childhood. A dramatic turning point in life, which has always interested playwrights.
Directed by David Sandqvist (Finland), read by Ken Rüütel, Mart Aas, Kaija M Külm, Kaarel Targo and Siim Angerpikk.
20:30–22:00 THREE STORIES OF BRINGING ESTONIAN ART TO EUROPE – The Unattainable Miracle by Eduard Vilde, Parrot Days by Andrus Kivirähk, and Sick Badger by Priit Põldma
Nothing is more effective in boosting the self-esteem of a small nation than a message from the large world about our fitness in the fine arts. We like it as much as a cat likes catnip. What could anyone have against that? Not unless the advertising slogans are attached to a fool’s cap.
Directed by Karl Koppelmaa, read by Piret Laurimaa, Margus Jaanovits and Helgur Rosenthal.
September 6th
12:00–13:30 THREE STORIES OF FREEDOM – Werewolf by August Kitzberg, Bridge Over the Sea by Ilmar Külvet, and Same Words, Another Tune by Piret Jaaks
Freedom is a human right and a basic need. Freedom means responsibility. Where are you inviting me, asks Margus from Tiina in Kitzberg’s Werewolf. What freedom can we talk about when our country’s freedom has been taken away, ask each other the foreign Estonians during the times of the USSR. Can we still be free when we’ve been without it for so long, Estonians ask during the return of a free Estonia.
Directed by Johan Elm, read by Ragne Pekarev, Reimo Sagor, Rauno Polman and Katrin Kalma.
14:00–15:30 THREE WRITERS – Koidula: a Play About a Woman Who Wanted To Be Like Other Women by Hella Wuolijoki, The Man Who Cannot Fit on a Stone by Vaino Vahing, and Liivs by Toomas Suuman
A writer sitting at a desk is not an extraordinary stage scene. But how do you capture the flickering, quivering spirit of the writer on the stage? And yet, Estonian playwrights have succeeded in doing so on several occasions.
Directed by Kaili Viidas, read by Kärt Kull, Ken Rüütel, Meelis Rämmeld and Carmen Mikiver.
16:00–17:30 THREE TALES OF FOUR KINGS – Four Kings by Artur Adson, Four Kings’ Day by Jaan Kaplinski and Kings. A Play From 1343 by Tiit Aleksejev
A myth from the 14th century tells how four kings of Estonia gathered in the heart of Estonia during the St. George’s Night uprising to demand justice, only to be treacherously killed. This myth has been echoed in a number of Estonian plays over the ages, building a bridge to its own time. Would we be wiser, stronger, smarter with today’s knowledge?
Directed by Liis Aedmaa, read by Vallo Kirs, Rait Õunapuu, Tarvo Vridolin, Andres Tabun and Katrin Pärn.
18:30–20:00 THREE STORIES OF MONEY – God of Mammon by August Kitzberg, St. Susan or The School for Masters by Enn Vetemaa, and Business As Usual by Mehis Pihla
The subject of money excites us all. It always has. In addition to things, money also buys power and love. Money influences relationships, destinies, ways of thinking. A lot of money at once can take away one’s sanity as well as friends. It’s horrible and comical at the same time. Lots of material for a great drama.
Directed by Gildas Aleksa (Lithuania), read by Lena Barbara Luhse, Kristian Põldma, Silva Pijon, Martin Tikk and Helgur Rosenthal.
20:30–22:00 THREE STORIES OF LOSING YOURSELF – The Dream of Pärmi Jaak by Johann Woldemar Jannsen, The Lost Son by Egon Rannet, and Out Of Your Depth by Paavo Piik
A physically missing person is a tragedy that can also have a happy ending. But when a person is lost to themself, there is nothing to be done. Modern games with identity can be very dangerous, even if they provide valuable material for theatre.
Directed by Elise Metsanurk, read by Maarja Johanna Mägi, Juhan Soon, Kaie Mihkelson and Külliki Saldre.