The Bound

This is the last play by the Estonian classic Eduard Vilde. Although it has thus far remained in the shadow of his plays Elusive Miracle (“Tabamata ime”) and Pisuhänd, several critics along with the author himself have regarded it as one of his best works.

Written in 1917, The Bond depicts a classical conflict between generations where different visions of business ethics collide. Voldemar Ilves, the son and employee of book salesman Hans Ilves, protests against his father’s ethically dubious principles and decides to open his own bookstore. The entire town cheers them on in their competitive feud. Matters are complicated even further by two ladies who compete for Voldemar’s heart. The tension accumulates to the brink of explosion but finally finds a surprising solution.

After writing and staging Pisuhänd 2 in spring 2023, a so-called sequel to Vilde’s Pisuhänd, stage director Tiit Palu is continuing his Vilde streak. This time, however, all the characters have been penned by Vilde himself.

Premiere on 30 March 2024 at the Small Building of the Vanemuine Theatre