Valgusaed

A production as an embrace. Or like a grandmother’s lap, with room for everyone. The production entered the repertoire through the 2026/2027 open call and is being created as a co-production by Tartu Uus Teater and Big Wolf Company.

Valgusaed is created by light and its absence. The shifts and reflections of light as hands, eyes, plants, words and stories cross its path. People full of stories. Full of wishes. Full of tenderness and toughness. The central media of Valgusaed are aerial acrobatics, storytelling and projections.

Valgusaed is a fairytale-like place that tests the limits of what is possible. But instead of watching from afar, the audience lands right in the middle of this world. Light flows into the warm palms of the villagers and, little by little, into their inner selves. They fall into the story. Through light and shadows, they too become storytellers. And the house speaks back.

“This production is our answer to the chaos of the world. We believe that sometimes we need to step outward into a space that is so cosy, warm and safe that we can find that same cosiness, warmth and safety within ourselves.”

Sensory hypersensitivity has been an important starting point for creating this work, as has the aim of making something gentle, slow and nurturing—especially in a world that generously showers people with overstimulation.

Author-performer Grete Gross (EE)
Co-author Elisa Kundi-Matvejeva (LV)
Storyteller and props maker Krõõt Saar (EE)
Eva Maria Aru (EE)
Lighting and video designer Paulius Jakubenas (LT)

Supporters: Eesti Kultuurkapital, Tartu Linn, Riia Tsirkus, Visaginase Kultuurikeskus, Põlva Kultuurikeskus

Premiere: 12 August 2026, Tartu Uus Teater’s main auditorium

Additional information:
Recommended age: 5+
Capacity: up to 40 people per performance
Duration: up to 1 hour 30 minutes, without an interval

The performance begins with a walk that culminates in the Uus Teater auditorium. Audience members must be without shoes in the auditorium; at times, the performance is experienced sitting or lying on the floor.

Please pay close attention to the performance’s start time and location:
The daytime performance starts at 16:00 outside Tartu Uus Teater, on Lai Street.
The evening performance starts at 22:30 at the Kroonuaia Gate of the University of Tartu Botanical Garden, on Kroonuaia Street.
Entry through the gates is 10 minutes before the start. Latecomers cannot join the walk. The Kroonuaia Gate is up to a 10-minute walk from the theatre building.

Changes may be made in case of bad weather, so please pay attention to pre-performance information.

Production website
#uusteater_opencall