Endla Theatre adds three actors as seven new productions prepare

Endla Theatre will stage seven new productions in its coming season and add actors Martin Mill, Mauri Liiv and Triin Heidov to its company, ERR reports.

In October, the theatre will premiere Michael Cooney’s comedy “Rahauputus,” directed by Andrus Vaarik. In November, it will present the dance production “Isegi mäed liiguvad” and the children’s production “Tuulesahin Pajudes.” “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” will premiere in the Küünisaal hall at the beginning of the new year.

“Rahauputus” is based on a 1997 play by British playwright Michael Cooney. It follows Eric Swan, an unemployed homeowner who has spent years submitting false information about fictitious tenants to the social services office to obtain benefits. When he decides to end the fraud, a social services official arrives, setting off a chain of events in which the characters find themselves in increasingly complicated situations.

The production’s costume designer is artist Marta Vaarik, whose exhibition recently opened at the Kumu Art Museum.

In November, the Endla Theatre’s Küünisaal hall will host “Isegi mäed liiguvad” for two evenings. The dance production by the artist duo Roosna & Flak is being created in cooperation with the Independent Dance Stage. Estonian and Norwegian choreographers Külli Roosna and Kenneth Flak have worked together since 2008.

The production explores the relationship between everyday experience and magic, focusing on the senses and the stories and meanings that can be found in ordinary surroundings. It also examines stories from the past and their role in human experience.

“Tuulesahin Pajudes,” directed by Birgit Landberg, will premiere in the Endla Theatre’s large hall at the end of November. It is based on Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 children’s book “The Wind in the Willows,” known in Estonian as “Tuul pajuokstes.” The story centres on animal characters and their relationships, and addresses friendship, a sense of home, the desire for freedom and the discovery of the world. The production is intended for both children and adults.

At the beginning of the new year, Peeter Volkonski will direct “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” in the Küünisaal hall. The production is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, with an adaptation by British playwright David Edgar.

Endla also plans new productions by other Estonian directors for the spring season. Composer, actor and director Astra Irene Susi will make her directing debut in Pärnu in cooperation with playwright Kaur Riismaa. New productions are also expected from Kaili Viidas and guest director Sander Pukk.

Martin Mill, who worked at Ugala Theatre for many years, will join the company alongside Mauri Liiv and Triin Heidov, who graduated this year from the 32nd class of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre’s drama school.