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Madli Pesti praises the Swiss producer’s interpretation of the national epic in VAT TheatreVery physical Kalevipoeg |
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Very original, crawling with talented productional discoveriesUnder the aegis of VAT Theatre, something special has appeared again on the Estonian theater stage – interpretation of the national epic „Kalevipoeg“.To somehow relate with the following text, it must be beginned with the description of the play. There is an inclined plane on the stage, on it a 30 cm high red podium and four actors. On their place with every inch of their body. The musical design is by the actors themselves, the light design is relatively invariable. A minimalistic play, but not only. We can see in Estonian theatre rarely appearing expressive, physical theatre. With such physicism, where verbality is reduced to minimum, the Estonian producers dear or can not risk. That’s why Vat Theatre’s another contact with German linguistic space has a very refreshing influence, the producer being Markus Zohner, who has reaped laurels with the same style earlier. On the occasion of „Kalevipoeg“ the case is a mixture and interlacion of postmodern styles. The play is at the same time a comedy, dance theatre, musical drama as well as pantomime, elements can be found also from kung-fu movies ( an effective brucelee scene), soap operas and Hollywood action movies. It might seem that we’re dealing with some sort of a strange compote, but for all this multiplicity the play is very stylish and decorous. Zohner’s „Kalevipoeg“ seems to be possible almost only in VAT Theatre, where the male actors ( Tanel Saar, Janek Sarapson, Margo Teder) can demonstrate their superb physical shape and pithiness, which generally is known to be Estonian theatre’s downside. Facial expressions are also very important, Wind and Sun played by Tanel Saar can be remembered for a long time. The whole play is permeated with sportiveness, it is remarkable how the actors enjoy themselves what they are doing. The technical skill of Katariina Lauk ebodying Fog and Motor reminds already from the play „A flight over the ocean“, in „Kalevipoeg“ she carries on in the same line. The play is at least in the context of Estonian theatre very original, crawling with talented productional discoveries. It is hard to describe kalevipoeg ploughing without a horse, a plough and a field, but the reaction of the audience was amazing. At least the audience on the premiere seemed to be in their native element, lively laughter could be heard constantly. Markus Zohner leaves the viewer free hands to construct everyones own play and you can imagine that it does not suit for everyone. Filling in the blanks occurs a lot, but at least during the first part the eyes and minds of the whole public seemed to nailed on the stage. To nag a little, the play could be a little shorter, because the pretentious style gets tiring at the end. But there is no doubt about the performings getting more accurate and masterly play by play, although no rattling could not be noticed on the premiere too. Zohner’s style does require ultimate accuracy and joint performance, and VAT Theatre is good at it. „Kalevipoeg“ is meant for a pretentious viewer. The premise is not the thorough acquaintance with the epic, all the events are played through, although in a very untraditional way. The play is also very pretensious for the reason, that viewers must actively think along and construct a lot in their heads. At this place evryone in the hall can remind, how they put together playing blocks as a child, the viewing process of „kalevipoeg“ can be compared to that. But what is a vision of a Swiss about Estonian national hero Kalevipoeg like. Kalevipoeg is a man, who even doesn’t have his own name, thus he can not be very smart, the producer seems to be saying. Kalevipoeg has raw power, he is partial to women and hard-headed (does not show cleverness solving a riddle). But all this is spiced with warm humor, so that the chauvinists should not feel so bad....   
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Further Pressreviews concerning Markus Zohners KALEVIPOEG - The Cool Estonian Epic
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