Vanemuine to premiere tragicomedy Joobunud on September 19

Vanemuine theatre will premiere Ivan Vyrypaev’s tragicomedy Joobunud on September 19, ERR reported. Directed by Tanel Jonas, the play takes audiences into the night-time city and its parties and gatherings.

Drunkenness makes the characters both comically awkward and unusually clear-headed. For a brief moment, nameless confusion and longing find words that cannot be spoken in daylight.

Jonas said the production aims to give the audience hope. He said the creative team had discussed what the night had done to the characters and how their lives might continue the following day.

“We have thought that all these encounters bring them closer to a place where a better future should be possible,” Jonas said. “Of course, it could also be said that the next morning everything continues exactly as before, and we would leave the theatre with the realisation that we are all doomed.”

The play was written by Russian playwright Ivan Vyrypaev, who is currently one of the world’s best-known and most frequently performed playwrights. He left Russia in 2014 after criticising the country’s political system.

The cast includes Priit Strandberg, Grete Jürgenson of Tartu New Theatre, Kristin Prits, Ken Rüütel, Ragne Pekarev, Marika Barabanštšikova, Kaarel Pogga, Reimo Sagor, Liisa Pulk, Kärt Kull, Margus Jaanovits, Rasmus Vendel, Karol Kuntsel and Mattias Nurga.

The set was designed by Iir Hermeliin, with lighting by Mari-Riin Paavo, musical design by Markus Robam and movement direction by Rauno Zubko.