Early this morning, one third of the VAT Theatre arrived in the US to give for a total of three performances in late October and early November. Alias, which will be performed at the Estonian House in New York on 5 November, will be the 100th and the last performance of Alias.
The Estonian Society of Lakewood, the Estonian Society of Boston, and the Estonian Educational Society of New York approached the VAT Theatre with a request to invite Estonians to see Alias in guest performances. According to the invitees, it is important for local Estonians and their descendants to hear and use more of their native language when communicating with each other. For them, it is important to see top Estonian actors, to be part of a performance of original Estonian dramaturgy and, more broadly, of Estonian culture performed by professionals.
VAT Theatre’s Alias has been invited to headline a major fundraising evening organised by the Lakewood Estonian Society at the Lakewood Estonian House on 29 October. In Boston, the performance will take place on October 30, and on November 5, the 100th anniversary of Alias will be held at the Estonian House in New York. The 100th and final performance will take place in New York City on November 30.
The play, directed by Aare Toikka and written by Andrus Kivirähki, premiered at the VAT Theatre in September 2016. Alias is a successful story that has been warmly received by Estonian audiences and press. The production stars Merle Palmiste (Estonian Drama Theatre), Piret Rauk (Kuressaare City Theatre) and Tanel Saar. The production is designed by Kristel Maamägi, music by Peeter Rebane, lighting by Sander Põllu and video by Sander Põldsaar.
VAT Theatre has been organizing workshops for children and young people in its home country for more than 15 years and it is a big part of the theatre’s identity. For that reason, in addition to performances, workshops in stage combat and playwriting will be organised for Estonian children and young people living in Lakewood and New York.
The trip is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the Integration Foundation.