Must Kast: “Lilli”

Once there lived Caroline Suburg, who was called Lilli. Here, in Estonia, yes! She wanted more rights for women, so that Estonians could be prouder of themselves and simply so that the world would be kinder to everyone. But the others did not understand what or why—and when you find fault with something, then go and… well. She did mighty deeds, moving mountains, quite literally. She read many books and built support for culture. She had time for others, ploughing the furrow of education, and cared about very many people. “If you are a good child, you will get into Lilli Suburg School!” She was not mediocre; she had a personal radiance and reason to make a commotion, but when history was written down, she seems to have been forgotten. Yet those who do not remember old stories cannot see very far ahead. So let us remember this Estonian woman, for ourselves and for you—a woman born at a time when “woman” was not yet an insult and none of the Estonians had any rights. Why? Because the strongest muscle is the tongue: it preserves and destroys. And then—we will no longer forget. “Lilli” is a youth production about a previously untold chapter of Estonia’s national awakening, centered on an important Estonian woman. Through acting and music, the production explores Lilli Suburg’s life and development. Lilli was our first women’s rights advocate, female editor-in-chief, female prose writer, philosopher and founder of an Estonian-language school. The story gives the audience the opportunity to ask sharp questions about values that still apply in society today. The chosen form—a work in verse with musical accompaniment—is a contemporary development of epic folk poetry, an ancient form of storytelling. A modern heroic epic about a mighty woman. Required viewing for world-changers of all ages!

Director-dramaturg KAIJA M KÜLM, author of the verse and music JAANIKA TAMMARU, sound designer KAAREL KUUSK, set designer INGA VARES, lighting designer KAROLIN TAMM, lighting technician MIHKEL VIINALASS, sound technician RENEE TREI, producer MERILYN ELGE, marketing and direct sales RAUL MARKUS VAIKSOO, on stage SILVA PIJON, MARIANN TAMMARU, AGUR SEIM, KAAREL KUUSK

Ages 12+
Performance duration: 105 minutes
Premiere: 8 March 2023 at 13:00 in Tartu, at Genialistide Klubi
More information and bookings: piletid@teatermustkast.ee
www.teatermustkast.ee