Sulbi village theater production "How We Robbed Triinu's Bar" smashes records

Sulbi village theater is still making waves, with the show "How We Robbed Triinu's Bar" selling out every time.

Directed by Airika Saamo, the premiere of "How We Robbed Triinu's Bar" took place in July 2024 at Roosu Farm Leisure Center. The current owners of Triinu's Bar were present and had previously approved the staging of the show. 

Over the past year, Sulbi village theater has performed shows in their hometown of Sulbi, in Võru County, and elsewhere in Southern Estonia. They even performed at Tartu Prison. The community theater continues to attract such interest that Triinu's Bar shows are always sold out. The audience is phenomenal, engaging not only in passionate applause but also standing and singing along with the amateur actors of Sulbi, and even dancing. 

Sulbi village theater transports us with the show "How We Robbed Triinu's Bar" to where life is authentically lived. The performance pays homage to the legendary entertainment venue Triinu's Bar, which has thrived for decades near Antsla, and to generations of South Estonians who have refused to let the once popular but now nearly extinct bar culture of rural areas die out. The action of the show takes place in Tartu and at Triinu's Bar. While no specific individual is portrayed, the audience will recognize familiar bar talk and hear plenty of great Estonian disco music. Of course, the stage is alive with dancing, fighting, and love at first sight!

The amateur actors of Sulbi village theater in the production of "How We Robbed Triinu's Bar" include Maret Soon, Aili Kase, Agu Soon, Ivar Rosenberg, Triin Soon, Tiia Rodima, Margit Tappo, Vaido Ermel, and Aivar Rosenberg. The choreographer for the show is Kätlin Rosenberg. 

The production of "How We Robbed Triinu's Bar" by Sulbi village theater and its actors have received several awards. Last summer, at the Kuhjavere Theater Festival, the group was chosen as the audience's favorite theater troupe. Additionally, Ivar Rosenberg received the audience's favorite male actor award, Margit Tappo the audience's favorite female actor award, and Vaido Ermel for a successful role portrayal. At the Kuhjavere Theater Festival, Ivar Rosenberg and Vaido Ermel were also honored with a colleague award. 

At this year's Võru County Theater Day at Lasva Community Center, the jury awarded actor prizes to Ivar Rosenberg for his vivid portrayal of the character Veiko and to Maret Soon for her role as Salme in the show "How We Robbed Triinu's Bar." Airika Saamo received a director's special prize at the county theater day. 

In October, in addition to Puhja Community Center and Rõuge Community Hall, Sulbi village theater performed "How We Robbed Triinu's Bar" at Vastseliina Community Hall, a venue very familiar to director Airika Saamo. Airika Saamo was able to bring her troupe to the stage where she began her theater career as a young actress under the guidance of Ingrid Välbe. Of course, the hall there was also sold out!

A big thank you and a bow for the amazing theatrical experience!