Anu Lamp: Sõudalinn Theatre could create documentary productions in the style of Karusoo's plays
Anu Lamp, an actress and representative of the Estonian Theatre Union who served on the competition commission for selecting an artistic director, suggests that Sõudalinn Theatre produce documentary plays inspired by Merle Karusoo's works during the war-induced split in the Russian-speaking community.
Anu Lamp, an actress and member of the Estonian Theatre Union who was part of the competition jury for choosing an artistic director, has shared her vision for Sõudalinn Theatre amid the division within the Russian-speaking community caused by the war in Ukraine.
Lamp believes the theatre already possesses the necessary physical resources—its own building with multiple stages—and now needs ideas. She proposes that the theatre create documentary productions in the spirit of Merle Karusoo's plays "Why I Left Ukraine" and "I Did Not Leave Ukraine." These performances could serve as a space where native Russian speakers can meet, express their emotions, and hear one another. More broadly, the theatre could become a key cultural hub for the Russian-speaking community.
The competition for the artistic director position received 13 applications, with four strong candidates invited for interviews. Among them were Sõudalinn Theatre actor and director Artjom Garejev and Estonian director Andres Puustusmaa. Lamp noted that all candidates considered issues of theatre identity, repertoire formation, integration into Estonian society, and attracting both younger Russian-speaking audiences and Estonian-speaking viewers to varying degrees.
Dmitri Petrenko has been the artistic director of Sõudalinn Theatre since 2023. Following the competition, Petrenko was re-elected to the post.
