Näidendiraamatu sarja 47. raamat on Mehis Pihla näidendi „Rahamaa“ inglisekeelne tõlge, tõlkijaks Adam Cullen. Raamatut saab osta Eesti Draamateatri kassast ning raamatupoodidest.
„Business as Usual“ is inspired by money laundering scandals that rocked Estonia’s banking sector. A young man from a suburb of Estonia’s second-largest city lands a job at a Scandinavian bank branch in the capital city, Tallinn, where the primary clients turn out to be oligarchs from Russia and further east. Cash is not carried in briefcases but in wheeled suitcases. The service is as secure as „shveitsarskaya“ (Swiss), as secret as „ofshornaya“ (offshore), and as familiar as „peterburskaya“ (St. Petersburg-style). This darkly humorous story offers a glimpse into the world of the ultra-rich and reveals how money laundering has shaped Western politics for decades, as well as why it is so difficult to abandon illicit money.
The world premiere of „Business as Usual“ was on June 6, 2024, at the Estonian Drama Theatre’s Tartu Kammivabrik as part of the European Capital of Culture – Tartu’s Main Program (directed by Hendrik Toompere Jr). It was translated into English by Adam Cullen.
The production based on Pihla’s play „Rahamaa“ won several annual Estonian theatre awards in 2025, including Mehis Pihla for Best Play, Tõnis Niinemets for Best Actor, Taavi Teplenkov for Best Supporting Actor, Maria Faust for Best Original Music in a Drama Performance, and Lauri Kaldoja for Best Sound Design („Rahamaa“ et al.).
Mehis Pihla (born 1988) is a playwright, screenwriter, and director. His works staged at the Estonian Drama Theatre include „Forest Forte“ (2018), „Dragon’s Curse“ (2018), „Soloist“ (2022), „Master Solness“ (also as director, 2022), and „Once in Lebanon“ (2025). He has also directed plays at the Estonian Drama Theatre, including „A Doll’s House, Part 2“ (nominated for Director of the Year) and „Oh, God“ (2020). He co-wrote the feature films „Kalev“ (2019, EFTA Best Feature Film) and „Our Erika“ (2025) and was a screenwriter for the TV series „Alo“ (2018) and „When Life Tasted Good“ (2024). Pihla has also written successful stand-up scripts and sketch comedies.
„Business as Usual“ is the 47th edition of the series Näidendiraamat. The book is available at the box office of Estonian Drama Theatre and Estonian bookshops.
Editor → Ene Paaver
Seris and Book Designer → Kert Lokotar
Production photos → Heikki Leis
Published by → Eesti Draamateater (2025)
More information about the production →