Articles written or published from the year 2011 onwards
My cousin and I were walking along Tõnismägi tänav on a cool Monday
night last September, on our way to the small theatre housed in the
National Library of Estonia, and as we walked, she told me about the
performance we were just about to see.Teater Varius, as the group is known in Estonia, is a small theatrical company which specialises in performing plays with historically-true settings.
The
theatre is located in the basement of the library and seats about 50–60
people. We walked along the corridor on the ground floor of the library
and ran into a crowd of people also on their way to see the performance.
The
audience that night seemed to be mainly middle-aged and from all walks
of life. Soon the theatre was full, the lights dimmed and the curtains
parted, revealing the stage which had now been transformed into the
studio of a radio station. I remembered seeing a mention that the play
was set in 1944.
If you have ever seen how a magician
opens his show, and how, with the wave of his wand and a sprinkle of
stardust over the audience, he transforms the whole night into a totally
magical experience, you will have some idea about what happened next.
The
setting for the play was the studio of a radio station in Tallinn in
1944, the time when many Estonians were preparing to escape from the
armies about to invade their homeland. I quickly understood, however,
that it was more of a cabaret than a serious play. The fun began as the
actors sang, danced and joked their way through the opening scenes. I
had the thought that my parents would really have enjoyed this play, and
as they were transported back to the time of their youth, would
probably have felt both happy and sad at the same time.
Then
the first act was over, and I was doubtful that the magic spell that
had been cast by the actors in the first half could be repeated in the
second half. They had talked, joked and argued with each other in such a
realistic and totally believable way, and at times had been mischievous
too – a rare talent indeed! Later, when I discovered the pedigree of
the performers, I understood how they had been able to do it.
So
the second half began, and to my surprise, I saw even more magic – but
this you would have to see for yourself to begin to understand! I have
seen many plays and cabaret shows, and this one was equal to the best. A
short way into the second act, the setting changed from life in Estonia
to life in Sweden. Sitting in this little theatre in Tallinn, I heard
Arthur Caldwell’s announcements, and they were a huge surprise to me. I
shook my head in wonder. I felt as if I was in the past of my parents,
in their life, hearing their songs, asking their questions…. Wow!!
Then
the performance ended. The audience clapped, and clapped, and clapped.
The cast took many curtain calls. What more is there to say? If you look
at my photo with the cast you will see the stardust on me.
Helisev
Viis is the name of the play, and Teater Varius is the name of the
group. In the words of an old favourite song – life is a cabaret for
them. Reviews of the performance are on the internet. I recommend the
one in the Eesti Päevaleht newspaper from Sweden.
Lots
of fun and laughter, song and dance, and memories from our past. Bravo
to an exceptionally talented cast and thank you for a night of magic.
By Rex Urmas Rattur Memories of a Wonderful
Night in Tallinn - republished in English in January 2011
Related Links
Eyewitness: Estonia 1909-1949 PHOTOS
Related Links
Eyewitness: Estonia 1909-1949 PHOTOS
