Speed, lies and near misses on the Arena stage
The most delicious setting of the spring will be on offer on the Arena stage of the Helsinki City Theatre, when Marc Camoletti’s farce classic Don’t Dress for Dinner (Pyjama pour six, 1987) premieres on 2 February, directed by Jaakko Saariluoma and set in today’s Finland. Unbridled explanations and near misses are offered by wonderful comedians Sanna-June Hyde, Katja Küttner, Jonna Järnefelt, Pekka Strang, Pertti Sveholm and Joachim Wigelius.
At his summer home in Fiskars, Matti is preparing to celebrate his girlfriend Katariina’s birthday in a romantic way. Unfortunately, wife Linda cancels her departure to her mother at the last minute. There won’t be a romantic night out, but we’ll be able to party. Matti’s friend Harri, who is also involved in an affair with Matti’s wife, a catering chef and her slightly scary boyfriend. Who plays whom and how does the concoction hold together?
“Like all good comedies, Don’t Dress Up for Dinner is very well written. The text is full of twists and turns, all of which are also believable. There’s actually nothing in it that seems to be made up, except for the lies of these people. And there are plenty of them. Because once you make the mistake of lying, you have to lie a hundred more lies. The viewer knows more and more about the characters all the time and can enjoy watching how they are in a tight spot on stage and panic grows,” says director Jaakko Saariluoma.
The set and costumes of the play, which has been translated into Finnish by Henri Kapulainen and Pentti Kotkaniemi, are designed by Alisha Davidow, lighting design by Kari Leppälä and sound design by Lauri Koivisto. The camouflage and hairstyles were designed by Maija Sillanpää.
Jaakko Saariluoma’s previous directorial Tenors in the Broth was an audience favourite in 2017 by Jaakko Saariluoma, who is now visiting the Helsinki City Theatre for the second time. Saariluoma, who is known as a director, actor, screenwriter, stand-up comedian and presenter, has also been seen on the HKT stage in the plays Paavo 1.5 (2008) and Ihmisosa (2011), as well as in Studio Pasila’s popular stand-up evenings Club act!one.
Don’t Dress for Dinner premiere 2.2.2018 at 7 p.m. on the Arena stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Hämeentie 2)
Tickets: 21,50 – 43 € (incl. pm)