Naks theatre festival opens in Tallinn before moving to Narva

The Naks festival of theatre for young audiences runs from October 19 to 24, with most performances taking place in Narva from October 20. The programme includes events for children, young people, families, teachers and theatre professionals, ERR reported.

On the opening day, Tallinn’s Salme Cultural Centre will host performances by Swedish company Kompani Giraff and New Zealand dance theatre Le Moana, both internationally recognised creators of theatre for young audiences.

For babies and their parents, Draakonipesa presents “Winter Magic,” a wordless visual journey into a winter wonderland populated by rabbits, goats and arctic foxes. After the show, children can explore the puppets used in the production.

Kompani Giraff’s circus performance “ABC” introduces letters and the alphabet through play for kindergarten children and younger school pupils. The Finnish-Czech theatre Krepsko brings “Fabsurdia,” a miniature world that audiences can examine and touch. Estonia’s VAT Theatre presents “The Adventures of Juhan the Skeleton,” based on a book by Triinu Laan.

For pupils in the second and third stages of school, Le Moana will perform “Shel We,” a playful tribute to writer and poet Shel Silverstein and his children’s book “The Giving Tree.” The show brings together trees, ghosts, goats and mischief.

Kompani Giraff will also bring “A Study of Losses” to Narva. The visual performance combines aerial acrobatics, object manipulation and music to reflect on lost worlds, memories and things. Its music was created by Beirut, also known as Zach Condon.

For older teenagers, Miksteater presents “Oscar and the Pink Lady: Letters to God,” about a boy with cancer who spends his final days in hospital with his caregiver, Granny Rose. Kuressaare Theatre’s “Diary of an Ugly Girl,” recommended for audiences aged 12 and up, is a story about feeling excluded.

The festival will also include workshops, educational programmes and a play reading.