Ivo Eensalu
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Ivo Eensalu (born 3 April 1949) is an Estonian actor and theatre director. Eensalu's career began in the early 1970s, and has appeared as an actor on stage, film and in television. He became widely known after appearing on the
Eesti Televisioon Eesti Televisioon (ETV) () is an Estonian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by Estonian Public Broadcasting. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955. History Eesti Televisioon (''Estonian Television'') was launched on ...
children's educational television series '' Mõmmi ja aabits''. From 1995 until 2001, he was the director of the
Estonian Drama Theatre The Estonian Drama Theatre () is a theatre in Tallinn, Estonia. It has the role of a national theatre for Estonia. The Estonia Theatre is located next door. History The building that houses the Estonian Drama Theatre was originally built for the ...
.


Early life and education

Ivo Eensalu was born in
Märjamaa Märjamaa is a Populated places in Estonia, borough () in Rapla County, Estonia. It is the administrative center of Märjamaa Parish. Märjamaa has a population of 2,961 as of 29 November 2012, making it the largest settlement in the whole of Mä ...
in 1949. His father was a carpenter. He graduated from
Järvakandi Järvakandi () is a borough () in central Estonia. Administratively it constituted Järvakandi Parish () until 2017 — a rural municipality within Rapla County. After the 2017 reforms of municipalities, it is now located in Kehtna Parish. The m ...
Secondary School in 1967 and enrolled in the Performing Arts Department of the
Tallinn State Conservatory The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (''Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemia'') began as a mixed choir of the Estonia Society Musical Department (EMD) on the eve of World War I. The assembly of the Estonia Society created the Tallinn Higher Musi ...
(now, the
Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (''Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemia'') began as a mixed choir of the Estonia Society Musical Department (EMD) on the eve of World War I. The assembly of the Estonia Society created the Tallinn Higher Musi ...
) the following year, studying drama with instructor
Voldemar Panso Voldemar Panso (30 November 1920 – 27 December 1977) was an Estonian stage and film actor, theatre director and pedagogue. Biography In 1941, he graduated from Tallinn Conservatory State Stage Art School and in 1955 the Moscow State Theatr ...
, and graduating in 1972. His diploma production role was that of Eero in
Aleksis Kivi Aleksis Kivi (; born Alexis Stenvall; 10 October 1834 – 31 December 1872) was a Finnish writer who wrote the first significant novel in the Finnish language, '' Seitsemän veljestä'' (''Seven Brothers''), published in 1870. He is also known ...
's ''
The Seven Brothers ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...
'', directed by Panso and performed at the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn. Among his graduating classmates were actors Helgi Annast, Vello Janson, Rein Kotkas, Kersti Kreismann, Siim Rulli,
Tõnis Rätsep Tõnis Rätsep (born 30 June 1947) is an Estonian actor, musician, educator, poet, and playwright. Early life and education Tõnis Rätsep was born in Viljandi, one of two children to a father who was a dairyman and a mother who worked in a dairy ...
,
Tõnu Saar Tõnu Saar (6 August 1944 – 12 July 2022) was an Estonian actor.In memoriam Tõnu Saar
In 1972, ...
,
Jaak Tamleht Jaak Tamleht (10 February 1942 – 13 July 1986) was an Estonian actor. Education Tamleht was born and raised in Tallinn and graduated from the on 1967. He graduated from the drama school at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in 1972. Car ...
, Martin Veinmann, and
Juhan Viiding Juhan Viiding (1 June 1948 – 21 February 1995), also known under the pseudonym of Jüri Üdi was an Estonian poet and actor. Personal life Juhan Viiding was born on 1 June 1948 in Tallinn to Paul Viiding, a well-known poet in Estonia who h ...
.


Career


Theatre

Eensalu began an engagement the Estonian SSR State Youth Theatre (now, the
NUKU Theatre Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences, formerly ''Estonian State Puppet Theatre, Estonian Puppet and Youth Theatre and NUKU'') is an Estonian theatre located in Tallinn. The institution focuses on visual theatre and theatre for the young viewer. I ...
) in Tallinn in 1972, where he would remain until 1977. Notable roles at the Estonian SSR State Youth Theatre include Karlsson and Rulle in
Astrid Lindgren Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren (; ; 14 November 1907 – 28 January 2002) was a Swedish writer of fiction and screenplays. She is best known for several children's book series, featuring Pippi Longstocking, Emil i Lönneberga, Emil of Lönneberga, ...
's ''
Karlsson-on-the-Roof Karlsson-on-the-Roof () is a character who features in a series of children's books by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Lindgren may have borrowed the idea for the series from a similar story about Mr. O'Malley in the comic strip '' Barnaby' ...
'', Shurik in
Vasily Zhukovsky Vasily Andreyevich Zhukovsky (; – ) was the foremost Russian poet of the 1810s and a leading figure in Russian literature in the first half of the 19th century. He held a high position at the Romanov court as tutor to the Grand Duchess Alexan ...
's ''Orpheus'', Tom Sawyer in
Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Fau ...
's ''
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (also simply known as ''Tom Sawyer'') is a novel by Mark Twain published on June 9, 1876, about a boy, Tom Sawyer, growing up along the Mississippi River. It is set in the 1830s-1840s in the town of St. Petersbu ...
'', and Detective Blore in
Agatha Christie Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English people, English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving ...
's ''
And Then There Were None ''And Then There Were None'' is a mystery fiction, mystery novel by the English writer Agatha Christie, who described it as the most difficult of her books to write. It was first published in the United Kingdom by the Collins Crime Club on 6 N ...
''. In 1977, Eensalu accepted an engagement as an actor and director at the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn, and in 1995, he became the theatre's principal director. He retired his position in 2001 and has been a freelance actor and director since; most notably, as a director of a number of productions at Old Baskin's Theatre, as well as
Tallinn Town Hall The Tallinn Town Hall () is a building in the Old Town (''Vanalinn'') of Tallinn (Reval), Estonia, next to the Town Hall Square. The building is located in the south side of the medieval market square and is long. The west wall is in length, ...
and the Salme Cultural Center in Tallinn and the
Rakvere Theatre Rakvere Theatre is a professional theatre in Rakvere, Estonia. History Rakvere Theatre was established in the fall of 1921, when ''Rakvere Näitlejate Ring'' was formed. The building of the Rakvere Theatre was opened with a public ceremony on 24 ...
. He has also directed productions in theatres in
Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...
.


Television

In 1972, Eensalu was cast in the role of Mõmmi in the
Eesti Televisioon Eesti Televisioon (ETV) () is an Estonian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by Estonian Public Broadcasting. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955. History Eesti Televisioon (''Estonian Television'') was launched on ...
(ETV) children's educational series '' Mõmmi ja aabits'', based on writer
Heljo Mänd Heljo Mänd (until 1934 Heljo Kleinmüller, 1934–1946 Heljo Raidla; 11 February 1926 in Narva – 6 December 2020) was an Estonian children's writer, novelist, newspaper editor and poet. She studied at Tallinn Secondary School of Business, and . ...
's 1971 short story ''Karu aabits''. The series aired on 18 March 1973 and became extremely popular and ran, with breaks, until 1978. A sequel series, ''Mõmmi ja aabits. 20 aastat hiljem'', was created in 1998 and ran until 1999, in which Eensalu played the role of Father Bear Madis. In 2011, 2017, 2019, and 2022, Eensalu appeared in and directed stage productions derived from ''Mõmmi ja aabits'' at several venues throughout Estonia. In 1998, the kindergarten in the village of Imavere in
Järva County Järva County ( or ''Järvamaa''; ; ) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in the central part of the country and borders Lääne-Viru County to the east, Jõgeva County to the south-east, Viljandi County to the south, Pärnu County t ...
was renamed Mõmmi Kindergarten in honour of the series; in 2008, the corresponding order was read out by Eensalu in character as Mõmmi at an event dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the kindergarten. Another popular ETV children's series, ''Vandersellid'', aired from 1982 until 1983, in which Eensalu played the role of Ivo opposite actors Paul Poom and Guido Kangur. From 1984 until 1987, he appeared as Sass Suhkur in the
Virve Koppel Virve Koppel (7 October 1931 in Tallinn – 26 May 2016) was an Estonian television and film director. Education and career In 1956 she graduated from Lunacharsky State Institute for Theatre Arts (GITIS). 1956-1989 she worked as an editor and ...
directed ETV children's series ''Pailapsiin'' opposite Tallinn Conservatory classmate and fellow ''Mõmmi ja aabits'' actor Tõnu Saar. In 1980, Eensalu had a prominent role in the Elvi Koppel directed children's television film ''Kardemoni linna rahvas ja röövlid'', based on the 1955 book ''When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town'' by Norwegian writer
Thorbjørn Egner Thorbjørn Egner (12 December 1912 – 24 December 1990) was a Norwegian playwright, songwriter and illustrator known principally for his books, plays and musicals for children. He is principally associated with his narratives for children includ ...
. In 1982, Eensalu appeared in the ETV television musical comedy film ''Teisikud'', directed by Leo Karpin. Other television roles include the 1987 four-part
Olav Neuland Olav Neuland (often spelled wrongly ''Olev Neuland''; 29 April 1947 Viljandi – 21 May 2005 Anija) was an Estonian film director. He died on May 21, 2005, while piloting a trike. He was buried in Pärnamäe Cemetery Pärnamäe Cemetery () is a ...
directed ETV television film ''Näkimadalad'', the 1997
TV3 Channel 3 or TV 3 may refer to: Television *Canal 3 (Burkina Faso), a commercial television channel in Burkina Faso * Canal 3 Niger, a commercial television channel in Niger * Canal 3 (Guatemala), a commercial television channel in Guatemala * Can ...
television series ''Waba Riik '', and the 2015 Andres Puustusmaa directed ETV drama series ''Mustad lesed''. In 2011, he had a recurring role as the character Manfred Aavakivi in the Raivo Maripuu directed
Kanal 2 Kanal 2 is a privately owned Estonian television channel. Its literal name in English is "Channel 2". History The channel was established by Ilmar Taska. The channel started broadcasting on 1 October 1993, the first program seen on the new ...
crime series ''
Kelgukoerad ''Kelgukoerad'' is an Estonian criminal television series, which aired on the Kanal 2 television channel. The series is directed by . The series was on the air from 2006-2013. Cast * Kalju Komissarov as Mati Kelk (2006–2013) * Madis Millin ...
''. In 2018, he appeared as the character Sass Tabi in two episodes of the TV3 comedy-crime series ''
Kättemaksukontor ''Kättemaksukontor'' or in English ''The Vengeance Bureau'' and even ''Revenge Office'' is an Estonian comedy-crime television series. In the series, a group of women have a organization called "Kättemaksukontor". This organization helps to solv ...
''. Eensalu has also directed a number of
teleplay A teleplay is a screenplay or script used in the production of a scripted television program or series. In general usage, the term is most commonly seen in reference to a standalone production, such as a television film, a television play, or a ...
s for the Estonian Drama Theatre that aired on ETV, beginning with a 1983 production of Simo "Aapeli" Puupponen's ''The Whole City of Vinski''. Other teleplays directed by Eensalu include works by
Evgeny Schwartz Evgeny Lvovich Schwartz (, , Kazan, Russian Empire, January 15, 1958, Leningrad, Soviet Union) was a Soviet writer and playwright, whose works include twenty-five plays, and screenplays for three films (in collaboration with Nikolai Erdman). L ...
, Ekaterina Borisova,
Janno Põldma Janno Põldma (born 7 November 1950 in Tallinn) is an Estonian film director and children's writer. Since 1973 he has worked in Tallinnfilm Studio. He has filmed about 20 animated films, mostly Priit Pärn's films. Works Films * '' Tom and Fluf ...
, Arthur Omre, Astrid Lindgren, and Ene-Maris Tali.


Film

Eensalu made his feature film screen debut in the role of Vikerkaar in the 1974 Virve Aruoja and
Jaan Tooming Jaan Tooming (28 March 1946 – 5 April 2024) was an Estonian actor, theatre and film director and writer. Life and career Jaan Tooming was born in Tallinn on 28 March 1946. In 1968, he graduated from the Tallinn State Conservatory (now, the Eston ...
directed drama ''Värvilised unenäod''. The following year, he had a more substantial role as Sikk in the
Mikk Mikiver Mikk Mikiver (4 September 1937 – 9 January 2006) was a prominent Estonian stage and film actor and theater director. Biography Mikiver was born in Tallinn, Estonia. He graduated from the State Conservatory of Tallinn in 1961. He then went ...
directed
Tallinnfilm Tallinnfilm () is the oldest surviving film studio in Estonia. It was founded as Estonian Culture Film in 1931, and was nationalized in 1940 after Estonia was integrated into the Soviet Union. During the first year of Soviet occcupation (1940 ...
historical drama ''Indrek'', based on the second volume of
A. H. Tammsaare Anton Hansen (18 (O.S.)/30 January 1878 – 1 March 1940), better known by his pseudonym A. H. Tammsaare and its variants, was an Estonian writer whose pentalogy '' Truth and Justice'' (''Tõde ja õigus''; 1926–1933) is considered one of t ...
's
pentalogy A pentalogy (from Greek πεντα- ''penta-'', "five" and -λογία ''-logia'', "discourse") is a compound literary or narrative work that is explicitly divided into five parts. Although modern use of the word implies both that the parts are re ...
'' Tõde ja õigus''. During the 1980s, he established himself as a character actor. In 1982, he appeared in the
Peeter Simm Peeter Simm (born 24 February 1953 in Kiviõli) is an Estonian film director. In 1976 he graduated from the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK). Selected filmography *''Ideaalmaastik'' (1980) *''Fed up!'' (2005) *''On the Other Si ...
directed Tallinnfilm adventure film ''Arabella, mereröövli tütar'', based on the story of the same name by children's writer
Aino Pervik Aino Pervik (born 22 April 1932 in Rakvere) is an Estonian children's writer, and translator. She is "considered the bravest children's writer" in contemporary Estonia, as "she takes on difficult themes of immigration, cultural conflict, corrup ...
. In 1984, he appeared as a village idiot in the Olav Neuland directed historical adventure film ''Hundiseaduse aegu''. In 1992, he appeared in the
Lembit Ulfsak Lembit Ulfsak (4 July 1947 – 22 March 2017) was an Estonian stage and film actor. Ulfsak starred in the 2014 film Tangerines (film), ''Tangerines'' which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Foreign Language F ...
directed comedy-family film ''Lammas all paremas nurgas'', and the following year appeared as Ivo in the
Kaljo Kiisk Kaljo Kiisk (3 December 1925 – 20 September 2007) was a Soviet and Estonian actor, film director, screenwriter and politician. He was best known for his roles as from Spring (1969 film), ''Spring'' (), Summer (1976 film), ''Summer'' (''Suvi'' ...
directed Tallinnfilm drama ''Suflöör'', the Marek Piestrak directed Estonian-Polish-Russian historical supernatural thriller ''Saatana pisar'', and in the Pekka Karjalainen directed Finnish-Estonian comedy ''Hysteria''. In 1994, he played the role of a Siberian guard in the
Jaan Kolberg Jaan Kolberg (born 21 November 1958) is an Estonian film director and producer. Jaan Kolberg was born in Pärnu, where he attended primary and secondary schools. In 1976, he enrolled at Tartu State University, majoring in English. While at univ ...
directed period adventure film ''Jüri Rumm'', based on the life of 19th-century itinerant thief and robber
Rummu Jüri Rummu Jüri (born Jüri Rummo; in Kehtna Parish – unknown) was an Estonian itinerant, thief and robber. He has become the archetypical Estonian folk hero, an outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor. Although most noted for his ...
. In 1995, he appeared as a voice actor in the role of Alderman in the
Heiki Ernits Heiki Ernits (born 24 March 1953) is an Estonian animator, illustrator, and film director. He graduated from the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute as a teacher of arts and crafts. He has created 19 animated films and illustrated over 30 children's ...
and Leo Lätti directed animated film ''Tallinna legendid''. Eensalu has been a member of the Estonian Theatre Association since 1973, the Directors' Association since 1992, and the Actors' Union since 1993.


Personal life

In 1971, Eensalu married opera singer Marika Eensalu. He is an avid cook and fisherman.


Acknowledgements

* Fr. R. Kreutzwald Museum Medal of Commemoration (1995) *
Salme Reek Salme Helene Reek (10 November 1907 – 9 June 1996) was an Estonian stage, film, radio, and television actress and stage director whose career spanned nearly seventy years; sixty-six of which were spent as an actress at the Estonian Drama T ...
Award (1997)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Eensalu, Ivo 1949 births Living people Estonian theatre directors Estonian male stage actors Estonian male television actors Estonian male film actors 20th-century Estonian male actors 21st-century Estonian male actors Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre alumni People from Märjamaa