Helimaastikud Lauri Lagle lavastustes

Abstract

This article examines the role of soundscapes in the productions of contemporary Estonian theatre director Lauri Lagle. The concept of soundscape is introduced by drawing on interdisciplinary sound studies and the principles of musicality in post-dramatic theatre. The article examines the composition of the soundscapes in Lagle’s productions from 2012 to 2024: how they are created and what functions they perform in the productions as a whole. First, the main features of Lagle’s stage work are outlined, highlighting his aesthetic’s musicality. His theatrical practice is characterised by ensemble playing, polyphonic structure, and the active role of sound and music in staging. Subsequently, his soundscapes are examined according to their composition, analysing the artistic strategies for using music, nonmusical sounds, and the human voice. Particular attention is drawn to NO35 Päev pärast vaikust (After Silence) and Ainult jõed voolavad vabalt (Only Rivers Run Free), where the soundscapes are central, not limited to a background function but playing a part in the productions’ rhythm, meaning and atmosphere. The article shows that music and sounds can function in Lagle’s productions both as creators of dramaturgical continuity and as an alienating element that distinguishes the stage reality from the everyday world.