Finland’s most popular rapper makes a spectacular return to the Arena stage

On 30 January, the Arena stage of the Helsinki City Theatre will premiere a new Finnish farce set in the world of rap, COMEBACK – Splashing in Rap.

Written and directed by Sakari Hokkanen, the novelty tells the story of rapper Biiffi, who is preparing for a sold-out comeback concert at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. The support team in the suite of the city’s finest hotel, Campi, is Mela, a veteran of Finnish rap, and manager Taina Kovanen. The pressure for a comeback is immense and Taina has a full job to keep the rappers in concert shape. The farcical plot twists gain momentum when the overzealous piccolo turns out to be a secret photographer, Biiffi’s grandma arrives at the completely wrong time, and in the end, the whole comeback is in jeopardy.

“At the center of the play I have written is a rapper who represents rather questionable values. Self-centeredness taken to the extreme, flaunting money and possessions, boasting about one’s own success, masculine puffiness and objectification of women are the core ingredients of Biiffi’s music and image. They are also ways in which he tries to bolster his own fundamental insecurities. In the world of the play, this ego-boosting leads to a farcical outcome,” says screenwriter and director Sakari Hokkanen, who says that with his play he also wanted to renew farce as a genre of theatre.

“As I have a reputation as a man of humour, I have often been offered farces to direct. Unfortunately, the farces I read were all far from the last millennium in terms of their content and especially their gender roles. However, directing a farce as an idea remained fascinating, so I had to write my own. This play is my attempt to update the farce for this millennium,” Hokkanen continues.

“To be on the safe side, let it be said that the characters and events in the play are fictional. All contacts with real people are random. As a screenwriter, I can’t help it if the modern age resembles a satirical farce more and more,” says Hokkanen.

The role of Biiffi is played by Peter Kanerva and the other roles are played by Minna Koskela, Janna Räsänen, Sauli Suonpää and Eija Vilpas.

The set design for the luxury hotel was designed by Katariina Kirjavainen and the costumes by Laura Dammert. The lighting design is by Kari Leppälä and the sound design by Joonas Outakoski. The camouflage was designed by Milja Mensonen. The dramaturg of the play is Sanna Niemeläinen.

Sakari Hokkanen (b. 1978) is a Helsinki-based theatre director and screenwriter. Hokkanen’s texts tackle current phenomena and people with a sharp but understanding touch. The patterns of publicity and the media world are examined from many angles, with a precise, illuminating gaze, not forgetting humour. In addition to his own plays, Hokkanen has directed several adaptations of classics, children’s theatre and radio plays. 

Watch the Comeback teaser.

Comeback premiere 30.1.2019 at the Helsinki City Theatre’s Arena stage (Hämeentie 2)
Tickets 21,50 – 43 € (incl. pm)