The Notebook
Estonian National Theatre Vanemuine
.jpg "The Notebook")
Young twin brothers are sent away from war to live with their grandma on the border of two countries. The boys promise each other that they do everything in their power to stay alive in this crazy world. They create their own workout system and rules, and tenaciously start shaping themselves into people who can cope with the cruel and unforgiving surroundings. Meanwhile, they record everything in their notebook.
This is an honest and poetic story of survival and adaptation in our mad world.
Ágota Kristóf (1935–2011) was a Hungarian writer who left her native country after the uprising of 1956 against the communist regime. She moved to Switzerland and wrote mainly in French. Written in an unembellished and suggestive style, several of her novels have also been published in Estonian, but this is the first time her work reaches the Estonian theatre stage.
The production is based on the first novel from Ágota Kristóf’s trilogy The Notebook. The Proof. The Third Lie, which was published in Estonian in 1997.
Ringo Ramul, Veiko Porkanen – Ants Lauter Award 2025
Veiko Porkanen and Ken Rüütel – Special Award for ensemble acting excellence 2025
Ringo Ramul – Director's Award nominee 2025
Kenn-Eerik Kannike – Original Music for a Production Award nominee 2025
Merle Jääger – Best Supporting Actress Award nominee 2025
The post-performance discussion (in Estonian) with the cast of The Notebook will take place on 7 September at 9:45 PM at the Sadamateater. The discussion will be moderated by Kaia Kastepõld-Tõrs, lecturer at the University of Tartu and psychologist.
Translator of the novel: Urmas Rattus
Dramaturg and director: Ringo Ramul
Scenographer: Arthur Arula
Composer and musical director: Kenn-Eerik Kannike
Light designer: Ivar Piterskihh (Endla Theatre)
On stage: Ken Rüütel, Veiko Porkanen, Merle Jääger, Kärt Kull, Rasmus Vendel, Kaarel Pogga, Kristin Prits
Duration: 2 hours, no intermission
Premiere: November 9th, 2024 at Sadamateater
NB! The theatre doesn't recommend this production for children under 14.