Mayorga/Käbin “The Boy at the Back of the Class”

Tartu Student Theatre, together with Helena Käbin, brings to the stage the play “The Boy at the Back of the Class” by Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga—a story that delves into contemporary educational spaces, the boundaries of private life, and the ethics of writing. A literature teacher discovers an exceptionally compelling essay written by a teenager. The boy, who sits in the back row of the class, writes about his classmate’s family life in a way that is both disturbing and fascinating. What begins as a writing exercise quickly becomes something more. Power games begin, intertwining fantasy, reality, and ethical boundaries. Juan Mayorga is one of Europe’s most important contemporary playwrights, whose work is characterised by moral dilemmas, patterns of power, and precision of language. “The Boy at the Back of the Class” is one of his best-known works and has been staged around the world. The director is Helena Käbin (formerly Kesonen), an alumna of Tartu Student Theatre, whose style is characterised by sensitivity to space, vivid imagery, and thoughtfulness. The production brings together both new young actors and alumni, creating a shared creative space where different experiences and generations meet. Performances: 31 October, 6 November, 7 November, and 20 November at 19:00, and the final performance on 22 November at 17:00. Tickets from Fienta and at the venue. Cast: Andreas Haunmann, Maarja Kährik, Kristjan Kundla, Villem Mändmaa, Tess Pauskar, Helen Renke, Indrek Tulp. Set design: Kudrun Vungi. Lighting design: Kristjan Tammi. Direction: Helena Käbin. Musical design: Helena Käbin, Maarja Kährik. Translation: Anneli Kurm. Production: Kelly Kittus. Supported by: Tartu Student House, the City of Tartu, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.