Only the best for me brings to the stage the fresh and surprising view of the world by three authors
Helsinki City Theatre’s late-autumn novelty, Only the Best for Me, directed by Aino Kivi, presents three new Finnish plays by three interesting authors, Sofi Oksanen, Elina Snicker and Maija Vilkkumaa, in one evening. The plays, which vary in their genres, are united by a fresh and surprising view of the world. The cast includes Riitta Havukainen, Merja Larivaara, Aurora Manninen, Vappu Nalbantoglu and Kaisa Torkkel. The ensemble will premiere on 27 October on a small stage.
“Playwrights have been given free rein, with instructions only to write a miniature play for two female actors. Usually, the order is always made for a specific topic, or the theatre takes a text that is already more ready. I think it’s special what kind of performances the writers suggest: bolder, more surprising and absurd worlds than what is usually seen on stage, more diverse and contradictory female characters, women who talk to each other about much more than just men,” says director Aino Kivi.
The idea for a set of three plays originated from Sofi Oksanen’s play I Love You Already, which will now premiere on the Finnish stage, but was premiered in 2017 at the Burgtheater in Vienna together with four other new plays dealing with the current state of Europe in the European Communion (Ein Europaeischen Abendmahl) collection.
Oksanen’s play I Love You Already Now tells the intertwined story of Marja (Vappu Nalbantoglu), a Finnish woman hoping for a child, and Daria (Aurora Manninen), a Ukrainian aspiring egg donor. Oksanen deals with the same theme related to fertility treatments and child factories more extensively in her novel Koirapuisto (2019).
Elina Snicker’s play Crying for a Stranger tells the story of a woman in military service, a lieutenant, and how meeting a stranger in a swimming pool locker room can create a surprising connection between people. The roles of the delicious miniature play, which refers to the Karelian lament tradition, are played by Aurora Manninen, Riitta Havukainen and Kaisa Torkkel.
Maija Vilkkumaa’s Sea Weather shows the Helsinki of the future. The main characters, Henna and Matilda, have founded a mermaid-themed rowing boat company that transports the townspeople to Tähtitorninmäki when the water has taken over southern Helsinki. The performance will also feature a song composed by Vilkkumaa for the play. The cast includes Merja Larivaara, Vappu Nalbantoglu and Kaisa Torkkel.
The set and projections for the Only Best for Me performance are designed by Mika Haaranen and the costumes by Laura Dammert. The choreography is designed by Kaisa Torkkel, the lighting design is by William Iles and the sound design is by Aleksi Saura. The camouflage was designed by Tuula Kuittinen.
The premiere of Only the Best for Me on 27.10.2020 on the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5)
Tickets €19.50 – €39
#vainparastaminulle @hktfi #rakastansinuajonyt #itkuvieraalle #merisää
Helsinki City Theatre ticket office, Ensi linja 2, Mon-Fri 9 am – 5.30 pm, Eläintarhantie 5 Sat 11 am – 7 pm and one hour before the performance and Lippupiste Mon-Sat 9 am – 9 pm, Sun 10 am – 6 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge)
www.hkt.fi
From the website Safely to the theatre You can find up-to-date and updated instructions for safe theatre visits.
Press photos can be found in the image bank and press releases in the newsroom.
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