The Thousand-Faced Hero: a sensory theatre journey

A production that focuses on other forms of perception instead of sight.

“The Thousand-Faced Hero” is not an ordinary theatre production that you sit and watch quietly. It is not a dramatisation or stage adaptation of Joseph Campbell’s work either. It is a sensory journey in which hearing, touch and body memory become essential in place of sight. The actors share the room with the audience: they can be heard and their presence felt, but the performance itself takes place inside and between the participants. Everyone wears eye and ear covers so that the journey is personal and guided.

In this darkness you can remain completely anonymous and, at the same time, learn surprisingly much about a stranger (and about yourself). It is an echo chamber where you can physically experience the good and bad sides of the information age: where time and space take on a new dimension, the smartphone becomes useless and notifications turn into touch. In this “safe discomfort” it is possible to reach the next level, where nothing is quite the same as before. But when did everything change?

NB! The performance is largely done with eye and ear covers, and wearing them is a condition of taking part. The safety and privacy of the audience during the performance are guaranteed.

Suitable from age 15. Before coming, please read the audience reminder.

On stage: Elise Metsanurk, Grete Jürgenson, Ilo-Ann Saarepera, Juhan Soon, Kirill Havanski.

Director: Andreas Aadel. Dramaturg: Kaur Riismaa. Designer: Kairi Mändla. Composer: Kirill Havanski. Lighting designer: Oskar Harding. Producer: Kersti Niglas.

Premiere: 21 February 2026, Tartu Uus Teater, large hall.

Supported by: Estonian Ministry of Culture, City of Tartu, Estonian Cultural Endowment.