Andrus Vaarik to direct Rahauputus at Endla Theatre

Endla Theatre will premiere Michael Cooney’s comedy Rahauputus on October 24, with Andrus Vaarik directing. ERR reports that the production will open in the theatre’s main hall.

The story unfolds on a rainy morning at 344 Chilton Road in east London. Unemployed homeowner Eric Swan has spent two years claiming social benefits in the names of imaginary tenants. As the paperwork and invented identities spiral out of control, he decides to end the fraud. But a social welfare official arrives needing a signature from one of the nonexistent tenants.

Vaarik said the play has a strong structure and recognisable characters. He said his aim was not to make the audience laugh loudly, but to create a performance that could hold them in silence. He also told the cast to approach the comedy at first as they would a play by Ibsen or Chekhov, without thinking about genre.

Vaarik said he pays close attention to younger performers and the subtler ways they bring out humour, adding that older actors can learn from them.

The production team includes translator Hannes Villemson, set designer Andrus Jõhvik, costume designer Marta Vaarik, lighting designer Karmen Tellisaar and musical designer Reigo Ahven. The cast includes Nils Mattias Steinberg, Triin Brigitta Heidov, Mauri Liiv, Priit Loog, Enn Keerd, Astra Irene Susi, Kleer Maibaum, Andrus Vaarik, Carmen Mikiver and Kati Ong.