Ardo Ran Varres
Biography
Ardo Ran Varres (born March 19, 1974 in Tallinn) is an Estonian composer and actor. Ardo Ran Varres studied at the Tallinn Music High School from 1981–1992, graduated in clarinet performance, and at the Higher Theatre School of Estonian Academy of Music from 1992–1996, graduated as an actor. From 2009-2011 he studied composition in Helena Tulve's composition class at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Varres has played clarinet and saxophone at the Especially Sad Music Ensemble from 1991–1993. From 1996–2001 Varres was employed as an actor at the Rakvere Theatre and from 2001-2003 at the Estonian Drama Theatre, and was described as among "the leading younger [Estonian] actors and actresses of the last decade". From 2003-2011 he was the music director of the Estonian Drama Theatre. Since 2011 Varres has been a freelance artist. He was elected as member of the Estonian Composers Union in 2007. Ardo Varres has worked with many stage directors at several theatres in Estonia and has played tens of roles (also in Finland, Denmark and Germany). He has written music for more than 50 productions, films, TV and radio productions, for both Estonian and foreign dramaturgy, world classics and modern plays. Varres has also done voice-overs of series for Estonian television channels such as TV3, notably SpongeBob SquarePants, or Käsna-Kalle Kantpüks (until the show's seventh season). He also writes concert music. In 2022 premiered his first opera The New Old Nick of Hellsbottom. Theatre Vanemuine. Libretto by Kristi Klopets based on A. H. Tammsaare’s book. Musical Director & Conductor Risto Joost. Director Vilppu Kiljunen (Finland). Set Designer Iir Hermeliin
Known For & Full Filmography8 Titles
Drama Series - 2009, 16 episodes • as Andero
A group of women create an organization named "Kättemaksukontor" to fight for the rights of women and help solve murder mysteries for the police.
Drama Series - 1995, 16 episodes • as Haaviksoo
The boys of Wikman is a 1994-year drama serial about the Wikman Private Gymnasium students from 1937 till their mobilization in 1944. The series is based on a 1988 novel Wikmani poisid by Jaan Kross.
Movie - 2024, 2h 15m • as (voice)
Julia works as a dog food taste tester. After a brutal break up, dog food will never taste the same.
Movie - 2015, 2h 15m • as Guard
Four children - Mari, Sadu, Olav and Anton form a secret society to play hide-and seek games invented by Mari's grandfather, a professor at the university. When the city is attacked by a mysterious poison which turns adults into children our gang embarks on a quest for the antidote.
Drama Series - 2017, 16 episodes • as Pealelugeja (voice)
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 2012, 16 episodes • as Secretary General of the Swimming Association
Estonia's women's swimming team is stripped of their Olympic medals because of doping, and a scandal begins. With the help of Martin KĂĽtt, an internationally renowned crisis expert, the team aims to solve the disaster. However, as Martin investigates the doping, it emerges that even government officials are involved in the affair.
Movie - 2008, 2h 15m • as Officer
The young country of Estonia is dancing to the jazzy tune of the 1920's when on December 1, 1924, the capital Tallinn is overrun by members of the Comintern in an attempt to stage a Communist coup. The film follows the fates of a young soldier called Tanel and his wife, a telephone operator named Anna, amidst the ensuing chaos which determines whether the country remains independent or becomes a minor province in the Communist Empire.
Movie - 2019, 2h 15m • as Oskar Kallas
An adventurous tragedy about Estonia's first film maker Johannes Pääsuke and his aspirations to travel around with a film camera and find happiness. Together with a good friend, Volter, Pääsuke will spend an incredible week in Setomaa.