Elonsiivous – a story of a tenacious friendship theatre performance brings the stories of the elderly to the stage

In the autumn of 2022, the project’s artists Laura Ikonen and Martta Pesonen interviewed elderly people in Helsinki, and based on the interviews, Janne Puustinen wrote the script for the play Elonsiivous – a story of tenacious friendship. The performance, which will tour the service centres, will bring the theatre close to the everyday lives of the elderly and make it easily accessible. A discussion event will be held in connection with the performances, where the audience will be able to share their thoughts on the themes of the play.

Elonsiivous tells the story of Aino (Marjut Toivanen) and Raisa (Leena Rapola), who live in apartment buildings next door to each other. Shared sauna shift and newspaper subscription, check-ups and bun breaks. What would life be without long, shared afternoons, with conversations and dance dreams?

“The play focuses on the friendship between two elderly women. The friends support and love each other, but still stand on their own two feet. The performance also approaches death and the emotions related to it in a gentle and honest way through its characters: one would not even want to talk about the subject and the other faces the limitations of life very pragmatically, getting rid of their belongings,” says director Martta Pesonen.

The aim of the project has been to create cultural content from the elderly for the elderly and to bring to the stage the issues that their own generation wants to highlight. In the interviews, many talked especially about the importance of friendship and how much of an impact it has on everyday life to have someone to go out with. In addition, many of the interviewees considered the position of their generation in society and were concerned about the direction of elderly care. During the material collection phase of the performance, 65 elderly people were encountered.

As part of the production process, the Performance Mentors group was established, to which elderly people from Helsinki were invited through an open call to discuss the themes of the play, comment on the script and watch the rehearsals. The group consists of eleven people aged 75–80, and its goal has been to ensure that the target group of the performance is heard.

The play celebrates Leena Rapola and Marjut Toivanen’s 40-year journey together as actors. In addition to theatre stages, the duo has been seen in numerous touring performances during their careers, where they have made art more accessible to children, young people and the elderly alike. Elonsiivous – a story of a tenacious friendship is Marjut Toivanen’s last premiere at HKT before retiring.

The play is composed by Aleksi Kinnunen.

The Art in the Homes of the Elderly project brings participatory art activities to the everyday lives of the elderly in Helsinki. During the project, participatory art sessions have been carried out remotely and face-to-face, interactive workshops, as well as remote behind-the-scenes tours and artist meetings. During the project, volunteers working with the elderly have also been trained in the use of remote cultural services and students in interactive encounters with the elderly. In the spring of 2022, the project produced a photo exhibition entitled Light Draws the Lines of Your Face, which focused on the elderly and their stories. The exhibition will be on display at Studio Pasila throughout the spring of 2023. In addition, at the beginning of 2023, the Tekijä työnsa äärellä (Maker at his work) remote broadcast series was launched, in which theatre employees are met in the middle of everyday work. The Art for the Homes of the Elderly activities are part of the Helsinki City Theatre’s audience outreach. The project is funded by the City of Helsinki.

Elonsiivous – a story of  a tenacious friendshippremiere for invited guests on 23.2.2023 in the balcony foyer of the Helsinki City Theatre’s main stage. The play can be ordered to Helsinki’s housing units, service centres or day activity facilities. A limited number of performances. @hkt_yleisotyo @hktfi

More information about the project:
Hanna Nuorala, Audience Worker, hanna.nuorala@hkt.fi, 050 440 96 70

More information about the performance:
Laura Ikonen, Audience Worker, laura.ikonen@hkt.fi, 050 475 8701