A new Finnish comedy that draws on the transformation of working life for the stage of Studio Pasila
Paahtimo, a new Finnish comedy film that delves into current phenomena in working life, will premiere on 8 September at the Helsinki City Theatre’s studio Pasila. Written by Mikko Reitala and directed by Sini Pesonen, the novelty asks what it takes to succeed in today’s working life. Is competence alone enough or is self-branding already a civic skill?
“The Roastery is a cleverly written, intelligent comedy. There are exaggerated people in it. Phenomena of change in working life that can be identified from this time and people who are trying to cope under pressure in the midst of change,” says director Sini Pesonen.
Thirty-year-old Anni (Vappu Nalbantoglu) has two degrees and excellent grades, but she has not been able to market herself and her skills in job search situations so that she would have been selected. On the other hand, Olivia’s (Sanna-June Hyde), a personal and socially gifted half-sister, is flooded with jobs and opportunities. When Anni applies for her dream job at the artisanal coffee factory Kofi, a misunderstanding offers an unexpected opportunity to combine Anni’s expertise and Olivia’s personality. Is it possible to succeed in working life with mere images, without substantive expertise, and what kind of collisions does modern working life cause to representatives of different generations and different genders?
In addition to Vappu Nalbantoglu and Sanna-June Hyde, the freshly roasted Finnish comedy stars Leena Rapola, Pertti Koivula, Jarkko Niemi and Jasir Osman.
The set design is by Katariina Kirjavainen and the costume design is by Tinja Salmi. The lighting design is by Teppo Saarinen and the sound design by Maura Korhonen. The camouflage was designed by Tuula Kuittinen.
Sini Pesonen is a freelance theatre director from Helsinki who graduated from the Theatre Academy’s directing programme in 2011. Pesonen has worked as a director in different parts of Finland, e.g. in the city theatres of Turku, Jyväskylä and Helsinki, the Finnish National Theatre, Teatteri Jurkka and Takomo. He has also directed a radio play for Yle, e.g. Strippers in Duty (2021). Pesonen has served as the director of the Kokkola City Theatre from 2012 to 2015 and is one of the two artistic directors of Teatteri Nirvana. He has directed several new Finnish premieres, such as Elämänvoima, Kikka fan club and Tahto, which was Pesonen’s previous direction at the Helsinki City Theatre, an audience and critically acclaimed success on the small stage in 2019.
Mikko Reitala is a Helsinki-based actor, playwright and TV scriptwriter. She has studied at the Theatre Academy’s departments of acting and dramaturgy, worked as an actress at the Turku City Theatre, and as an actor and director at the Q Theatre. Reitala has worked as a dramaturg at YLE Drama and written TV series, novels and plays. His previous play at the Helsinki City Theatre was The Funniest Man in Finland on the Small Stage in 2017.
Paahtimo, premiere 8.9.2021 at 7 p.m. Helsinki City Theatre’s studio in Pasila (Ratamestarinkatu 5)
Tickets: student ticket 18 € (Mon-Thu), pensioner ticket 32 € (Mon-Thu), basic ticket 36 €
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Watch the Roastery video
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