An open platform for new ideas. That is how the Tartu New Theatre describes itself - and with each production, time and again, it strives to live up to that name. This fully applies to the production Sooster’s School.

The premiere took place three months ago, on 25 October - the day of the artist Ülo Sooster’s death. Director Ivar Põllu created the production together with twelve students from the Acting and Directing Faculties of the Viljandi Culture Academy of the University of Tartu..

“We were able to find a shared language for the production because I had never done anything like this before… we are staging a piece about a person who sought truth and consciousness… it has to be as mad as his art,” says the director.

Here are a few excerpts from the reviews:

“The creative team of the Tartu New Theatre, the students of the Faculty of Performing Arts, and Ülo Sooster - a happy combination.

…It is a research collage of thoughts and moments that occurred in Sooster’s life… or did not occur, but could have. In the production, the artist remains the object of inquiry.”

“Life blazes and seethes; you cannot imagine it otherwise - neither when you study at theatre school, nor when you speak about the fate of an artist who surpassed his time.”

“…to view Sooster first and foremost as a person, without idealizing him as the last genius of Pallas.

…the production allows Sooster to remain undefinable - like an egg that cannot be put back into its shell.”

“The work of the Sooster School with archival materials is impressive as the text is interwoven with a wealth of information known in Estonia only to a few dedicated individuals who found the time to work in the archives of the Tartu Art Museum.’”

“Let us say, Põllu’s theatrical language resembles the language of Sooster’s drawings.”

Our thanks to the reviewers: Karin Allik (Sirp); Margus Mikomägi (Maaleht); Kerli Jõgi (Tartu Postimees); Liisa Kaljula (Postimees); Liis Seljamaa (Eesti Päevaleht).

Where and when to see Sooster’s School:

4, 5, 6 February - Tartu
8, 9 March - Viljandi
16, 17, 30, 31 March - Tartu
6, 7, 8 April - Tartu
8, 9, 10, 11, 12 July – Hiiumaa

Photos: Henry Griin