March 27 – World Theatre Day

The birth of Estonian theatre in Narva is considered to be the year 1874, when the premiere of the play “Artur and Anna” by Carl Jakobson took place in the city theatre, which was located in the Narva stock exchange building.

Later, drama circles were organized by the Narva Estonian Society “Ilmarine” and the Temperance Society “Võitleja”, which in 1925–1926 merged to form the Narva United Theatre.

In 1928, the Narva Estonian Theatre began its activities and became a professional theatre in 1931. Every year, 16–17 premieres and 70–100 performances were held, with operettas making up about one-third of the repertoire.

From 1934 to 1935, operettas were staged by Ferdinand Pettai, the theatre’s director and lead producer.

Popular actors included Amanda Ulm-Lääne, Kustas Viljur, Hugo and Franz Malmsten, Alexander Keller, and Gerda Murre. Set designers included Konstantin Korovaikov, and from 1930, Voldemar Peil.

Between 1940–1941, the theatre was renamed the Narva Workers' Theatre, and later, again the Narva Estonian Theatre.

In 1944, many actors moved to other Estonian cities and joined local theatre companies. Some relocated to Paide, where they established the Narva Theatre in Paide, which was closed in 1949.

Decorator's certificate from the Narva Theatre in Paide, 1947. From the collection of the Narva Museum

Scene from the play "The Proposal" based on the work by August Kitzberg. 1932. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum

Scene from the play "The Daughter of the Master of Paepõllu Farm". 1937–1938. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum

Actress Amanda Ulm-Lääne. 1936. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museu

Actor, director, and head of the Narva Estonian Theatre (1934–1935), Ferdinand Pettai. 1936. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museu

Program of the opera "La Traviata" by the Narva United Theatre. 1926. From the collection of the Narva Museum

Set designer of the Narva Theatre (1932–1940), Voldemar Peil. 1938. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum

Scene from the operetta "Madame Flirt". 1933. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum

Scene from the operetta "The Violet of Montmartre". 1931. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum

Gerda Murre and Georg Ots. 1959. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum

Scene from the play "Storm Flags". 1937–1938. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum

Scene from the play "Until the Roosters and Until Dawn". 1921. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum

Theatre actresses in Estonian national costumes. 1916. Photo from the collection of the Narva Museum