THE LAST OF THE BLACKHEADS

A medieval crime-themed participation drama in two acts

Text Indrek Hargla

Music Tõnis Kaumann

Choreography Julia Christie Amor

Performing Tanel Saar, Meelis Põdersoo, Katariina Ratasepp (VAT-teater), Georg Logins (T-teater), medieval music ensemble Rondellus: Maria Staak (vocals, hurdy gurdy), Anna-Liisa Eller (bagpipes, recorder, psaltery), Johanna-Mari Jaama (fiddle), Robert Staak (lute, percussion), dancers

Host Tanel Saar

After the performance medieval round dances guided by Julia Christie Amor

In honour of the feast day of St. Mauritius, the saint of the House of the Blackheads, a premiere performance of a work commissioned by the Tallinn Philharmonic Society. The audience becomes the townsfolk, all the action takes place right among them. The performance takes place in different halls of the House of the Blackheads and there is a medieval costume rental at location.

Indrek Hargla: “The performance takes us to a medieval Tallinn, one where the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, whose origins and activities are filled with mystery to this day, used to operate. It is the year 1424 and a mysterious visitor has arrived in Tallinn from lands beyond the sea. This visitor wishes to hide here the remains of St. Mauritius. He has a story to tell, of who the saint was and why his relics must rest in Tallinn. But the arrival of the relics appears to entail danger both to the brotherhood, who have Mauritius as their patron saint, and also to the city. Young Agatha Wakenstede, the apothecary’s daughter known from the Melchior tales, has to solve the relics’ mystery in this tangle of intrigue and reconcile the hostilities between the city and the Blackheads, which threaten to turn into bloodshed.

In cooperation with Kostüümilaenutus and Estonian National Opera costume rental