Densely atmospheric drama Lempi for the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre

The year is 1944. In the borough of Rovaniemi, twin girls Lempi and Sisko are living their youth in the midst of the attention of German soldiers. Sisko, who has found her own love among the soldiers, challenges her sister to bet, as a result of which Lempi falls in love with young Viljami and becomes pregnant. A war breaks out and Lempi stays in a remote village in Lapland with a maid girl named Elli. When Viljami returns from the front, Lempi has disappeared. No one knows where and why. Lempi is not seen in the play, but her life story unfolds based on the stories told by her loved ones, Sisko, Viljami and Elli. Who was Lempi really? What happened to him?

“Minna Rytisalo’s Lempi made a big impression on me the first time I read it. Even though there is a classic and even suspenseful ‘what happened to the main character?’ question, this is a story about strong sisterhood, the power of love and loss. In my opinion, Lempi has just the right combination of age-old themes and great emotions, and this is what makes it possible to bring the novel to the stage as a theatre. Already in our first reading exercise, the atmosphere was inspired, moved and full of interesting questions. I believe that a passionate performance with great emotions will rise on a small stage, which is above all a celebration of a great story and wonderful actors!” says director Miika Muranen.

Lempi talks about the power of love, the consequences of which are unpredictable, and reminds us how we never see each other as a whole. The play, written by Miika Muranen and Sinikka Sanelma, premiered at the Rovaniemi Theatre in 2020, where it was a success with viewers and critics.

The role of Lemppi’s husband Viljami is played by Sauli Suonpää, the role of the maid Elli is played by Vappu Nalbantoglu and the role of the sister is played by Ursula Salo. The voice role of Lemppi is played by Krista Kosonen. The set, projection and costume design are the work of Reija Hirvikoski and the projections have been carried out by Mika Haaranen. The lighting design is by Kari Leppälä, the composition and sound design by Aleksi Saura, and the camouflage is designed by Tuula Kuittinen. The dramaturg has been Sanna Niemeläinen.

Director Miika Muranen’s previous directorial effort, Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap, was performed on the Arena stage and on the big stage to full audiences in the 2023-2024 performance year.

Read the director’s interview on the theatre’s website: What happened to Lempi?Premiere of Lempi on 21.11.2024 on the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5).

Tickets: basic ticket €41, student ticket €20.50 (Mon-Thu) and pensioner ticket €38 (Mon-Thu)
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Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 3940 22 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket offices First line 2, Mon-Fri 12-17, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (performance days) 11-18.30 and one hour before the performance and Lippu.fi, Mon-Sat 9-21, Sun 10-16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/from min+local network charge) www.hkt.fi

In the photo: Vappu Nalbantoglu, Ursula Salo and Sauli Suonpää. Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen

Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Kaisa Pelkonen, Communications Manager, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki