Urmas Sisask play made family feel he had come to visit

A summer production about composer Urmas Sisask was so lifelike that his family felt he had come to visit, ERR’s Ringvaade reported.

“Ode to Love: The Story of Urmas Sisask,” a documentary fantasy directed by Reeda Toots, was staged this summer at the Pullitalli Theatre in Jäneda. Actor Christopher Rajaveer played Sisask.

Rajaveer said the production team was initially unsure whether he would fully transform into Sisask. As he prepared for the role, he increasingly studied the composer’s speech and mannerisms. He watched all the available ERR archive footage, including an interview with journalist Jüri Aarma on the programme Tähelaev, which he said he had watched more than 100 times.

Rajaveer first practised Sisask’s voice and movements at home before offering to try them in the rehearsal room. “It was frightening,” he said.

Sisask’s daughter, Tiiu Sisask, who plays piano in the production, said Rajaveer’s portrayal was remarkably accurate. She described getting goosebumps and trembling as she watched.

Sisask’s death will have been four years ago this December. His daughter said she had initially worried that the play was being made too soon, but felt she was ready when it came together. She said the family felt as if her father had come to visit and was grateful for the experience.

Sisask’s mother also watched the play and, in tears, invited Rajaveer to visit her. He said he was still in character, or unsure how to act after the performance, but added that he would have to visit her for real.