Showcase of new Estonian drama brings four Estonian plays to London audiences

Tomorrow, on March 12th, 2026, the Jermyn Street Theatre in London will host the showcase of new Estonian drama, which will introduce Estonian playwriting to British theatre professionals. The event is organized by the British theatre company Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Estonian Theatre Agency and the Estonian Embassy in London.

“I am delighted that the theatre company Foreign Affairs has noticed Estonian dramaturgy and its great international potential. This is the first time that our drama has received such attention in the UK. It is an extremely difficult target country in terms of export, as local drama is a strong part of British cultural identity and it is not easy to offer them anything new. However, Foreign Affairs has noticed something unique in Estonian drama that could interest and inspire theatre makers there,” says Liisi Aibel, head of the Estonian Theatre Agency and international relations specialist.

The showcase is centred around the staged readings of four Estonian plays:

• Queen of the Night (2015) by Piret Jaaks, translated by Adam Cullen
• Business as Usual (2024) by Mehis Pihla, translated by Adam Cullen
• An Orgy (2025) by Livia Ulman and Andris Feldmanis, translated by the playwrights and proof-read by Jane Fallowfield
• The Last Livonian (2025) by Paavo Piik, translated by Siim Nurklik with the playwright

The readings are directed by London-based theatre makers Flo Dessau and Ria Samartzi, accompanied by an eight-member troupe.

The staged readings are divided into two parts, the first taking place from 14:30 to 16:30 and the second from 19:30 to 21:30. Both parts will feature readings of selected excerpts from two plays, followed by moderated discussions with the playwright(s) and translator. After the discussions, there will also be time for networking between local theatre makers and Estonian playwrights.

The theatre company Foreign Affairs specialises in introducing, developing, and staging plays written in smaller languages and distributing them in the United Kingdom. This year, Foreign Affairs won the International Award at The Stage Awards, the UK’s largest theatre awards ceremony, for precisely the kind of showcases that await them tomorrow in collaboration with the Estonians.

In the photo: (from the left) Piret Jaaks, Livia Ulman & Andris Feldmanis, Mehis Pihla, and Paavo Piik. Photos by Stina Kase, Piia Ruber, Mihkel Maripuu, and Siim Vahur.