Valgusaed

A production as an embrace. Or like a grandmother’s lap, with room for everyone. The production joined 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. Shifts and reflections of light as hands, eyes, plants, words and stories cross its path. People full of stories. Full of wishes. Full of softness and toughness. The central mediums of Valgusaed are aerial acrobatics, storytelling and projections. Valgusaed is a fairytale-like place that tests the limits of possibility. But instead of watching from afar, the audience lands right in the middle of this world. Light flows into the villagers’ warm palms and, bit by bit, into their inner selves. They fall into the story. Through light and shadow, they too become storytellers. And the house speaks back.

“This production is our response to the chaos of the world. We believe that sometimes we need to step outside ourselves 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 in creating this work, along with the aim of making something soft, slow and caring—especially in a world that generously showers people with overstimulation.

Author and performer: Grete Gross (EE)
Co-author: Elisa Kundi-Matvejeva (LV)
Storyteller and props: 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 large hall

Additional information:
Suitable for ages 5+
Capacity: up to 40 people per performance
Duration: up to 1 hour 30 minutes, no interval

The performance begins with a walk that culminates in the Uus Teater hall. In the hall, the audience will be without shoes; at times, the performance is experienced sitting or lying on the floor.

Please pay close attention to the performance start time and meeting point:
The daytime performance begins at 16:00 outside Tartu Uus Teater, on Lai Street.
The evening performance begins at 22:30 at the Kroonuaia Gate of the University of Tartu Botanical Garden, on Kroonuaia Street.
Entry through the gate is 10 minutes before the performance. 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 check the pre-performance information.

Production website
#uusteater_opencall