Review: Sekunda

Top Russian export drama

Mikhail Durnenkov (b. 1978), who sometimes works alone and sometimes with his brother Vyacheslav, is one of the top names in Russian contemporary theatre. His works have been exhibited in Russia as well as in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Like Juopot, which was completed last year and immediately became a hit, Sekunda, brought to Studio Elsa, is a depiction of life on the fringes and people looking for themselves.

Playwright Filipp (Eppu Salminen) leads the story The role is Salminen’s best in a long time. Matti Olavi Ranin, who, like many actors, makes several portraits, is also on top of his game.

Petja Lähde, Calle Alm and the experienced Hannele Lauri and Eija Vilpas are also good. Viktor Drevitski, who has lived in Finland for a long time and was born in Ukraine, does perhaps do his best job as a pilot, with excellent help from visualist Alisha Davidow, lighting designer Nanni Vapaavuori and sound designer Ari-Pekka Saarikko, among others.

Sekunda is full of stuff about modern life, even though the name suggests otherwise. Durnenkov’s play is one of the best new Russian dramas performed in Finland in recent years, a sharp and perceptive, concise description of our time and the people in it.