Kari Heiskanen’s fresh interpretation of the classic brings the unbridled and raunchy Puntila to the stage

From 20 September, director Kari Heiskanen’s fresh, carnivalesque interpretation of Bertolt Brecht and Hella Wuolijoki’s classic Mr. Puntila and His Servant Matti will be seen on the main stage of the Helsinki City Theatre.

Bertolt Brecht, who had fled the war to Finland, wrote the play together with Hella Wuolijoki based on her play The Sawdust Princess in the summer of 1940.

Kari Heiskanen’s well-known depiction of the relationship between a fickle, booze-addicted gentleman and a sharp-witted servant offers excesses and sudden twists and turns and brings to the stage the unrestrained, unruly Mr. Puntila, who is charming and a great humanist when drunk, but quite an autocrat and oppressor when sober.

“The play depicts a time and circumstances that even today give rise to self-blinded wielders of power like Puntila. The comedy puts Puntila and his ilk in a light that is not in their own power and gives those who are the object of power a distance that empowers them,” says director Kari Heiskanen.

The virtuoso Pertti Sveholm steps into the shoes of Mr. Puntila, and the role of driver Matti is played by Antti Peltola, who graduated from the Theatre Academy in the spring of 2018. The role of Puntila’s daughter Eeva is played by Anna-Riikka Rajanen, who has already conquered the big stage. The other roles and the choir commenting on the events will be played by Laura Alajääski, Helena Haaranen, Juha Jokela, Kirsi Karlenius, Jyrki Kasper, Kai Lähdesmäki, Kari Mattila, Unto Nuora, Mikko Paloniemi, Raili Raitala, Matti Olavi Ranin, Sanna Saarijärvi, Eero Saarinen, Antti Timonen, Kaisa Torkkel and Leenamari Unho.

Music plays an important role in the performance. The composer and musician in the performances is the well-known vibraphonist Arttu Takalo. The choreography is by Johanna Elovaara. The set design was designed by the esteemed visual artist and set designer Markku Hakuri and the costumes by costume designer Tiina Kaukanen, who has been awarded for her several film works. The lighting design is by Mika Ijäs and the sound design by Eradj Nazimov. The camouflage and hairstyles were designed by Maija Sillanpää.

Watch the Mr. Puntila and His Servant Matti teaser.

Premiere of Mr. Puntila and His Servant Matti on 20 September 2018 at 7 pm on the big stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5)
Tickets: 20 € – 45 € (incl. pm)