Theatres in Tallinn (0)

School name
THEATRES IN TALLINN
Term Paper
Compiler:
Tallinn 2013

Table of Contents

Introduction 2
Estonian National Opera 3
Tallinn City Theatre 4
Estonian Drama Theatre 5
Estonian State Puppet & Youth Theatre 5
Russian Drama Theatre 6
Von Krahl Theatre 6
VAT Theatre 7
NO99 Theatre 7
Conclusion 7
References 8

Introduction

Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia. In Estonia there are many theatres. Tallinn has 8 theatres. Most of them are located in the Old Town or near the Old Town. These 8 theatres are: Estonian National Opera, Tallinn City Theatre, Estonian Drama Theatre, Estonian State Puppet & Youth Theatre, Russian Drama Theatre, VAT Theatre, Theatre NO99 and Von Krahl Theatre.

Estonian National Opera

The song and drama society ‘’Estonia’’ was founded in 1865. Play- acting started in 1871. The following theatre activites were relatively haphazard, theatre as a tradition really came into being since 1895 , when the society began to direct song plays , folk plays and comedies, usually with singing and dancing; in the start of the XX century already saw more serious drama on the stage.
In year 1906 Paul Pinna and Theodor Altermann founded a professional theatre called ‘’Estonia’’.
Since 1998, it is called The Estonian National Opera and operates as a body governed by public law according to the National Opera Law passed in 1997 in the Republic of Estonia.
Since 1918, the drama troupe was led by the actor and director Ants Lauter until 1949 when the troupe was disbanded and “Estonia” continued as just a musical theatre. In 1906 was hired the first music director Otto Hermann , 1907 saw the first operetta, Hervé’s “Mam’ zelle Nitouche”, on stage, a steady production of operas started in the 1918/19 season. In 1911, the first Estonian operetta, Adalbert Wirkhaus ’ “St. John’s Night ” was staged. In 1926 , choreographer Rahel Olbrei founded the permanent ballet troupe in the theatre, the ballet became more regular in the 1930s . In 1994—2009 the theater was managed by Paul Himma , since 1 September 2009 the general manager is Aivar Mäe.

Tallinn City Theatre

This theatre was founded in 1965 named Youth Theatre, but from the beginning it was a regular drama company, with only slightly more plays for the children than in the other theatres. The objective of its first leader Voldemar Panso was to change the unnatural situation, created in Stalinist times , of Tallinn having only one Estonian- language drama theatre. In the beginning the theatre used the big stage of a Soviet -style " palace of culture". In 1975 a 100- seat stage was opened in the 15th-century house in the old-town centre of Tallinn. After Panso the company was led by Mikk Mikiver , Kalju Komissarov, and Rudolf Allabert.
Since 1992 the artistic director is Elmo Nüganen and the managing director is Raivo Põldmaa. In 1994 the company took its present name.
The cramped conditions of the theatre became better, when it obtained some neighbouring buildings and the whole historic block was renovated, turning it into a challenging theatrical complex . Among the new additions are two flexible stages, of 120 and 200 seats respectively, many smaller playing areas, and an open -air stage. At present the troupe includes 24 actors and actresses

Estonian Drama Theatre

Estonian Drama theatre started in 1920 under the leadership of Paul Sepp , who also founded a theatre school. Since 1924 his pupils continued under the name of Draamastuudio Teater, which in 1937 was changed to the name of Eesti Draamateater . In 1939, it purchased itself the stylish Art Nouveau building of the former German Theatre where it has remained to this day. In Soviet times its name was The Tallinn Drama Theatre, but it was changed back in 1989. In 1967 in addition to its 426-seat big auditorium a 159-seat small stage was opened. In year 2004 70-seat Paintshop stage was opened. The theatre has been led by many outstanding directors: Leo Kalmet , Priit Põldroos, Ants Lauter, Ilmar Tammur, Voldemar Panso, Mikk Mikiver, Evald Hermaküla, and Merle Karusoo. Nowadays it works under the artistic director Priit Pedajas and general director Rein Oja.

Estonian State Puppet & Youth Theatre

Estonian State Puppet Theatre started in 1952. It was the first theatre for children in Estonia. The theatre started with puppeteer hidden behind the screen in 1952, has now become a rapidly developing theatre, which is open for different experiments. For decades it was led by its founder Ferdinand Veike . Since 2000 the managing director of the theatre is Meelis Pai. There has been a noticeable renewal in both the artistic and administrative side of the Puppet Theatre. The theatre is located in the Old Town of Tallinn and has four stages – Small Stage (180-240 seats), Oval Stage (77-100 seats), Middle Stage (56-70 seats), Fireplace Hall (25-35 seats) and Main Stage (700 seats).
The repertoire of the Puppet Theatre consists of plays mostly for children and youth, combining puppetry and drama elements , the theatre also offers traditional shadow theatre. In last few years the theatre has a growth in musical productions and various experimental projects .

Russian Drama Theatre

The roots of Russian theatre in Tallinn go back to the small Russian community of the late 19th century. Theatricals received a boost after the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, when many Russian actors found refuge in the newly independent Estonia. A professional Russian theatre started in Tallinn under Soviet occupation , in 1948. It received the building of a former cinema in the centre of the city, its troupe was formed by a graduating group of a Moscow theatre school. Now they are paying more attention to local audience . 10-12 new plays are staged each year, mostly in the 661-seat big auditorium, but sometimes in the 70-seat small hall.

Von Krahl Theatre

Von Krahl Theatre was established in 1992. But the leader of the theatre Von Krahl Theatre, first privately- owned theatre, the actual history of this theatre begins earlier and is closely connected to the leader of the theatre Peeter Jalakas . Von Krahl Theatre has two fields of action : laboratory work with a purpose of finding and developing specific acting and theatre tools

VAT Theatre

VAT Theatre is the oldest independent theatre company in Estonia, it started on October 1, 1987. 15 people work there every day, also numerous designers, performers, musicians, directors, writers and others . VAT Theatre gives performances on their home stage in National Library Theatre Hall, as well as in other performance venues and cultural institutions .

NO99 Theatre

It was founded in 2004. They play 3-4 new plays every year, most of the plays are improvisations. Ene- Liis Semper and Tiit Ojasoo have been the directors together from the beginning. Theatre is located behind the Solaris Center.

Conclusion

For a small city like Tallinn, is 8 theatres enough. All the theatres are really different and with different history and age. People in Tallinn are lucky to have so fascinating theatres in their hometown.
I think the biggest and most powerful theatre is the Estonian National Opera.

References

http://vonkrahl.ee/en/teater/teatrist/ajalugu/alustuseks/von-krahli-teater_0
http://www.vatteater.ee/en/teater.html
http://www.estoniantheatre.info/eng/theatre_in_estonia/theatres/Russian_Drama_Theatre.theatre_id-12
http://www.nuku.ee/english/nuku/nuku/
http://www.estoniantheatre.info/eng/theatre_in_estonia/theatres/Estonian_Drama_Theatre.theatre_id-3
http://www.linnateater.ee/
http://www.opera.ee/en/rahvusooper/
http://www.estoniantheatre.info/eng/theatre_in_estonia/theatres/Tallinn_City_Theatre.theatre_id-2
http://www.no99.ee/eng/meist.php
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