I am 13 (play)

I am 13 (play)
I Am 13 Years Old
(Estonian: Olen kolmeteistkümne aastane, Olen 13-aastane)
Written by Merle Karusoo
Characters Andrus
Guido
Toomas
Date premiered 1980-07-26
Place premiered Noorsooteater, Tallinn
Original language Estonian
Setting Soviet Estonia

I Am 13 Years Old (Estonian: Olen kolmeteistkümne aastane, Olen 13-aastane) is an influential[citation needed] 1980 play by Merle Karusoo. This is the first of a series of plays representing Karusoo's 'memory theatre' based on documentary material.

The drama, set in deep Soviet occupation era of Estonia, was developed by integrating a number of essays collected from 13-year old schoolchildren of the era, and developed into a coherent, yet comprehensive plot depicting everyday life and culture of 1980s early teenagers.

It was staged by Karusoo 1980 in the State Youth Theatre of the Estonian SSR. The text was born in course of repetitions. It was played at Klooga rand, a beach outside of Tallinn.

Contents

Foreshadowing

The generation depicted — people born in late 1960s — were the last generation spending their youth in occupied Estonia, and the first generation to shape the post-occupation culture, life and eventually, policy. While most of the superficial trappings have been forgotten, changed or become memorables, several attitudes illustrated in the play are recognisable in Estonian public life of late 20th and early 21st century.

Common presentation

The play is best known as presented by Andrus Vaarik, Guido Kangur and Toomas Lõhmuste in the primary roles, and, in fact, originally written with these actors in mind. (The primary roles, Andrus, Guido and Toomas, are named after them.) However, as a technically simple drama of strong recognition by teenagers of later decades, it, or episodes from it, has been presented by numerous non-notable school theatre projects.

Awards

As the director, Merle Karusoo was awarded by the award of the Theatre Union of the Estonian SSR (1980). The troupe got the collective special award of the Theatre Union.

In 1981, Merle Karusoo was awarded by the Literary Award of the Estonian SSR for the play.

In 1988, Andrus Vaarik was awarded by the Ants Lauter Award for his roles, including the role in this play.

Literature

  • Merle Karusoo 1989: Olen kolmeteistkümne aastane. Ühe etenduse lugu, ISBN 5450008090
  • Piret Kruuspere July 2002: Merle Karusoo's Memory Theatre, published in Interlitteraria, number 7, 2002, pages 276–289
  • Merle Karusoo Põhisuunda mittekuuluv

Sources


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