SLEEPLESS – A Techno Drama

Paillette Theater‘s production of Sleepless (Schlaflos), recently premiered in Estonia at Improteater IMPEERIUM, is a compelling and human exploration of the nocturnal world. From the moment you enter, the performance begins. A large fabric curtain, printed with a group of people, hangs from the ceiling, hiding the stage. The show starts with a man dancing to techno music behind this curtain, making you wonder if you’ve stumbled into someone’s private party, before the subtitles flash on the screen with a disarming question: “Did I dream?”

The curtain falls to reveal actor Vincent Simon, who, with an almost hypnotic energy, begins to tell stories about his friends. His storytelling is unique, as he fluidly switches between German and French to describe his friends from different countries, creating a powerful sense of intimacy and authenticity. As the actor shares his stories, he reflects on the universal human desire to hear those stories, even admitting that he doesn’t like his own.

He then plunges the audience into a detailed account of a wild night out. He describes a group of friends, full of youthful energy and enjoying a liberating night of “chocolate,” until the wildness is suddenly gripped by one friend’s “dark thoughts.” This shift from vibrant excess to quiet vulnerability highlights the intense and  emotional contrasts of nightlife.

Accompanied by DJ Camille Roesch’s live electronic music, the show becomes a tribute to friendship and the search for genuine connection. By blending theater and music, Sleepless creates an experience that is both intensely personal and universally relatable, addressing themes of inner conflict, dark stories of the past, and existential questions with touching honesty.

There will be one more performance of Sleepless on 6 September at 1900 at Improteater IMPEERIUM. The 2025 Tallinn Fringe Festival continues with more dance, theatre, music, and comedy through 18 September.

Author: Tatiana Akopova