Rakvere Theatre actors benefit from performing frequently

Rakvere Theatre actors have a major advantage in the amount of work they get on stage, although frequent performances do not always guarantee quality, actor Peeter Rästas said on the ERR programme OP.

“In terms of quantity, we get to perform a lot,” Rästas said. “It means being in constant actor training.”

Rästas and fellow Rakvere Theatre actor Anneli Rahkema have lived in Rakvere all their lives. They studied at the same theatre school, work at the same theatre and are also partners.

Rahkema said she had gradually realised that she was best suited to playing characters with an unstable inner life.

“I feel that characters who do not have the most stable inner lives suit me,” Rahkema said. “Slightly eccentric characters.”

“Sometimes more than slightly,” Rästas added.

Rahkema named the productions Tuulte pööris, Toatüdrukud and Köök among her memorable roles. Rästas said his favourite productions were Vaal and Lasteaed.

They also recalled a period when they sought out directors themselves and created solo performances. Rahkema worked with Kertu Moppel, while Rästas worked with Kadri Noormets.

Andres Noormets, who taught and supervised their course at the Viljandi Culture Academy, is directing Rakvere Theatre’s season-opening production Vöötrada, in which Rästas and Rahkema play the leading roles.

“There is a lot to learn from Andres,” Rästas said.

The actors also spoke about spending time in the Rakvere oak grove. Rahkema said they often go walking in the forest and that she goes mushroom picking. Rästas described the grove as his favourite place in Rakvere.

“I do not know of another town in Estonia with an oak grove that has been left as much like an ancient forest,” he said.

They said they also visit the forest in winter, drink tea and coffee and simply spend time there. Rästas said he appreciated its visual, acoustic and olfactory qualities.