Humour phenomenon Fingerpori takes to the theatre stage

The comic comes to life and black humour blossoms in Studio Pasila’s new  play Fingerpori. The comedy based on Pertti Jarla’s popular comic strip is written by Petja Lähde and directed by Pertti Sveholm. The play will premiere on Pertti’s Day, 7 February.

The events take place in the absurd town of Fingerpori, whose idyll is suddenly shattered as the Finnish government intends to forcibly annex Fingerpori to Helsinki. Heimo Vesa will be tasked with showing decision-makers that Fingerpori, its unique population and culture must be preserved independently. Participating in the independence campaign are Mayor Homelius, the major criminal Pahani Julmu, Rivo-Riitta, Hangover Day, Black Mask and Jesus. The role of Heimo Vesa is played by Jari Pehkonen and the other 60 characters are played by Helena Haaranen, Pekka Huotari, Juha Jokela, Sanna Saarijärvi, Antti Timonen and Leenamari Unho.

“Fingerpori has quite a wide sounding board, it was just tested in the Best Fingerpori of the Year poll by Hesar, which collected more than 23,000 votes. I’ve been a fan of Fingerpori for a long time. Its humour is fascinated by political incorrectness, when it says exactly what should not be said. There is no subject that cannot be addressed. We walk on the borders all the time, sometimes it goes over the top and sometimes it hits the spot. Fresh and snappy,” says director Pertti Sveholm.

“Fingerpori also requires you to use wits, you have to think a little about where the joke was. And when you find it, it rewards you many times over. This play is also being made in the spirit of Jarla, and the comic-like nature can be seen on all levels of the performance, from the costumes and characters to the light and sound,” Sveholm continues.

The set design was designed by Mika Haaranen and the video design is by Haaranen together with Jaakko Sirainen . The costumes were designed by Elina Vättö. The lighting design is by Teppo Saarinen and the sound design by Lauri Koivisto. The camouflage and hairstyles were designed by Aino Hyttinen.

The text of the play Fingerpori, written by Arvid Lydecken Award-winning Petja Lähde and premiered in Turku in May 2017, has been updated, and instead of Turku, Fingerpori is threatened with forced annexation to Helsinki.

Premiere of Fingerpori 7.2.2019 at 7 p.m. at the Helsinki City Theatre’s studio in Pasila (Ratamestarinkatu 5)
Tickets: 17,50 – 35 € (incl. pm)