Silent Bridges on stage for the first time in Helsinki

The touching and ageless love story Silent Bridges will be seen for the first time on the Helsinki stage, when Liisa Mustonen and Ari-Pekka Lahti’s new dramatisation of Robert James Waller’s bestselling novel will premiere on 12 March on the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre. The main roles in the play, directed by Liisa Mustonen, are played by Merja Larivaara and Kari Heiskanen.

“The theme of the play hits the heart of love, when two inwardly lonely people find a connection with each other. The work deals with our deep need to be chosen and the only one for someone, our ability to attach, commit and grow apart. When they meet the main characters, Francesca and Robert, they go through the entire arc of love over the course of four days, and because of giving up, they are able to love each other unconditionally forever,” says director Liisa Mustonen.

Francesca Johnson, a farm mistress and mother, lives a peaceful life in Madison County, Iowa. The steady everyday life takes a surprising turn when Robert Kincaid, a lonely photographer traveling the world, gets lost asking for directions to the covered bridge he has come to photograph. The play focuses on the encounter between Francesca and Robert and how love changes both of their lives forever. Francesca makes a choice based on selflessness, but at the same time gives up on herself. Francesca’s children inherit their mother’s story. How does a mother’s story change children’s lives and affect their choices?

“Francesca wants to pass on her story to the next generation and encourage her children to dare to live and not to silence and lose themselves. We live in a time when it is good to return to the basics. What is love? If you abandon yourself, how can you love the other person?”, Liisa Mustonen continues.

The main couple of the play is Merja Larivaara and Kari Heiskanen, who are acting together for the first time, and who returns to the stage after a long time. Francesca’s children are played by Elina Hietala and Mikko Virtanen.

The set design is by Antti Mattila and Liisa Mustonen. The costumes are designed by Elina Vättö and the camouflage by Tuula Kuittinen. The lighting designer is Kari Leppälä and the sound designer is Eradj Nazimov.

The novel by American author Robert James Waller rose to the top of the bestseller lists in the 1990s, and with the film adaptation, Silent Bridges became a global phenomenon. The ageless love story has touched millions of people around the world.

Liisa Mustonen graduated from the Theatre Academy as an actress in 1997 and as a director in 2010. He has been nominated for the Jussi Award twice, directed for several theatres and written some of his directing works himself. Mustonen has previously directed the plays Dollhouse Part 2 (2018) and Threesome (2019) at the Helsinki City Theatre. Her other directing credits include Niskavuori’s Heta (2020), Open Union (2019), Mother’s Love (2017) and Frankie and Johnny (2013). He has acted in several series and films. Mustonen also works as a trained Gestalt therapist, coach and supervisor, as well as a couples and sex therapist.

Silent Bridges, premiere 12.3.2022 on the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5)
Student ticket 19,50 € (Mon-Thu), pensioner ticket 36 € (Mon-Thu), basic ticket 39 €
#hiljaisetsillat @hktfi

Helsinki City Theatre’s customer service and ticket sales by phone at 09 394022 Mon-Fri from 9 am to 5.30 pm. Lippupiste Mon-Sat 9 am – 9 pm, Sun 10 am – 6 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge), www.hkt.fi

Our common security is important to us. Please read our safety instructions in our Safe Theatre section.

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