The new comedy Surprise Guest is sharply funny, recognizable and hilarious
The comedy Surprise Guest, written by Scottish Steven Moffat, will premiere on the Arena stage of the Helsinki City Theatre on 12 September. The play shows in a hilarious way what excessive politeness can lead to and what the consequences can be when you don’t dare to say anything. The main roles in the new comedyare played by Sanna Saarijärvi, Vuokko Hovatta and Santeri Kinnunen.
Peter (Santeri Kinnunen) and Debbie (Vuokko Hovatta) celebrate their wedding anniversary on a cruise, where they get to know the friendly and easy-going Elsa (Sanna Saarijärvi). Elsa is a little too eager for the couple’s taste, but new acquaintances exchange contact information anyway. Peter and Debbie return home, where their children, who are going through their worst teenage tantrums, are waiting and everyday life continues. Until, unexpectedly, Elsa is in town and she has decided to come visit. Just before Elsa arrives, Peter and Debbie Google their guests and the search results are shocking. Elsa reveals something that puts Debbie and Peter’s hospitality and courtesy to the test. How do you get rid of Elsa?“It’s hard to write an entertaining and insightful comedy, but here we have succeeded. The play is easily approachable and it reflects the present time perfectly, is amazingly perceptive and makes you forget about everyday worries. In The Surprise Guest, skilled actors get to show their most comical talents, and the situations are taken to extremely exhilarating dimensions,” says director Milko Lehto. The cast includes Sanna Saarijärvi, Vuokko Hovatta, Santeri Kinnunen, Pekka Huotari, Jari Pehkonen, Jussi Matias Korhonen and Ronja Keiramo. The play is directed by Milko Lehto. The set design was designed by Katariina Kirjavainen, the costumes by Sanna Levo and the camouflage by Jaana Nykänen. The lighting design is by Petteri Heiskanen, the sound design by Eradj Nazimov and the video design by Toni Haaranen. The play has been translated into Finnish by Reita Lounatvuori and the dramaturg has been Henna Piirto. The Unfriend, written by Scottish Steven Moffat, premiered in 2022 at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester and then successfully moved to London’s West End in 2023. Moffat has become known to the general public for his TV series such as Doctor Who and The New Sherlock. Read the director’s interview on the theatre’s website: Politeness to the testSurprise Guest premieres on 12.9.2024 at the Helsinki City Theatre’s Arena stage (Hämeentie 2). Tickets: basic ticket 46 €, student ticket 23 € (Mon-Thu) and pensioner ticket 43 € (Mon-Thu) #yllätysvieras @hktfi Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 3940 22 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket offices First line 2, Mon-Fri 12-17, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (on performance days) 11-18.30 and one hour before the performance and Lippu.fi, Mon-Sat 9-21, Sun 10-16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/from min+local network charge) www.hkt.fi In the photo in the press release: Santeri Kinnunen, Sanna Saarijärvi and Vuokko Hovatta. Photo: Janne Mikkilä.Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:Communications Manager Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki