no46
savisaar
EPLIK/JUHKAM/SEMPER/OJASOO
"Savisaar" (directed by Semper and Ojasoo) took it's title from the name of the current mayor of Tallinn, Edgar Savisaar, – and it is the most recent example of Theatre NO99's work in the field of political theatre. Savisaar is probably the most disputed politician in Estonia. Over the years, his career has gone through quite an incredible transformation from the heroic to the ridicule, yet he will not, cannot, give up power. An impossible choice worthy of Greek tragedy. As a groundsetting idea for the production serves the sometimes forgotten fact that initially Greek tragedy with all its hybris and catharsis was performed and perceived in a very concrete political context of early Greek city states and of nascent democracy.
Edgar Savisaar is the most infamous politician in Estonia. For many, he is the ultimate hero, for many others, the ultimate villain. His career has gone through quite an incredible transformation from a communist apparachik to nationalist opposition leader during late Soviet Union to first prime minister of newly re-independent Estonia to leader of the opposition mainly supported by the local Russian speaking population. Despite numerous setbacks over the years through various scandals related to eavesdropping and Russian influence, Savisaar always miraculously manages to come back with incredible force. In a way he is the embodiment of the will to power, a rather shakespearian figure, the ultimate tricster.
Based on an original text written for the production, in terms of genres, "Savisaar" was an antique tragedy about the contemporary world with a touch of rock musical. The protagonist Savisaar is juxtoposed by a choir of more than 50 members, chanting Savisaar's tragedy with fury and passion. It took from Greek tragedy the sublime textual style and the static stage tension of between the protagonist and the choir. And then there was the tense politics. In essence it is a production about power. At the beginning of the rehearsals the theatre drew comparisons between the position and societal function of Savisaar in Estonia to that of Berlusconi in Italy, Putin in Russia, or why not, Viktor Orban in Hungary. In unison with the magnitude of the topic at hand, "Savisaar" was played right before parliamentary elections in 2015, to 11 sold out houses only and for an audience of 1500 each night. The stakes were high.
Directors-Art Directors Ene-Liis Semper and Tiit Ojasoo
Music Designers Vaiko Eplik ja Jakob Juhkam
Conductor Janne Fridolin
On stage Marika Vaarik, Rea Lest, Helena Pruuli, Gert
Raudsep, Rasmus Kaljujärv, Simeoni Sundja, Jörgen Liik, Ragnar Uustal,
Jarmo Reha, Liina Vahtrik, Raivo E. Tamm and choir "Vox Populi".
Premiere on February 6, 2015 at the Nordea concert hall.