Description
WESTERN EXPRESS – International theatre production arrives in Vuosaari! Due to high demand an extra performance! Finnish theatre group sadsongskomplex:fi produces together with Helsinki 98 the Romanian‑French Matei Vișniec's dark‑toned comedy Lännen pikajuna (Occidental Express) for the Helsinki 98 stage at Vuosaaren Tilajakamoon. The frequently awarded and internationally well‑known Vișniec's text Occidental Express tells of people heading to the mythical West to fulfill their dreams. But is the European dream perhaps only a utopia? The play sets opposite two worlds: on one hand the legendary Eastern Express heading east, the symbol of Western luxury, from which the imaginary Western Express is created when returning west. The author creates a living mosaic of Eastern Europe, with migrants, soldiers, students, professors, musicians, actors, prostitutes, refugees, prisoners, suitcases – and eternally unfinished houses. The play depicts people who leave because of work, war and poverty, hoping for a better future. Does the promise of freedom become reality? What happens to a person when they lose their home? Vișniec looks at the West with Eastern‑European eyes, sometimes using sharp humour as he portrays Eastern‑European citizens losing piece by piece their language and cultural identity while striving toward Western glamour. The performance is divided into ten, mostly independent scenes, linked by the figure of a blind old man. About the playwright Matei Vișniec (b. 1956) – a Romanian‑French playwright, poet and journalist living in Paris. He studied philosophy and history in Bucharest, but had to flee Romania in 1987 after his works were banned. Vișniec is one of Europe’s most respected dramatists. His work has been translated into many languages and performed worldwide. About the director Jari Juutinen – currently one of Finland’s most international theatre makers. His productions have been seen in 13 countries, 22 cities and 20 international theatre festivals – including Edinburgh Fringe, Festival Off d’Avignon, Brussels International Selection 2016, Baltiyskiy Dom and Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre. Juutinen was artistic director of Lappeenranta City Theatre 2007–2015, and was a key influence in the realisation of the new theatre building in Lappeenranta – completed in 2015. Before Lappeenranta he worked in Oulu and Lahti city theatres and founded Lahti’s Teatteri Vanha Jukon (1995). After leaving Lappeenranta he founded the international theatre group sadsongskomplex:fi (2015). The international working group of Western Express consists of artists from Finland, Estonia, Sweden, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Russia. Working group Script: Matei Vișniec Finnish translation and direction: Jari Juutinen Set design and lighting: Pavel Semchenko (escaped from Russia to Finland 2022) Music: Sofia Joons (Sweden/Estonia) and Jane Trajkovski (North Macedonia) Choreography: Gea Erjavec (Slovenia) On stage: Pinja Flink Carlos Orjuela Jari Juutinen Sofia Joons Production: sadsongskomplex:fi and Helsinki 98 Duration: approx. 1 h 20 min (no intermission) Venue: Helsinki 98 stage, Vuosaari, Vuosaaren Tilajakamoon Performance language is Finnish. The production has been supported by the Arts and Culture Agency and the Helsinki City Library and Culture Board. Recommended for ages 14+. Note! We cannot admit latecomers into the performance. Directions to Vuosaaren Tilajakamoon (Vuosaarentie 7): By metro: Get off at Vuosaari stop, walk left from the Columbus metro exit towards the main entrance of Vuotalo. Opposite Vuotalo is the former Vuosaari high school, now Vuosaaren Tilajakamoon. The walk from the metro to Tilajakamoon takes about 3 minutes. By car: Parking at Vuosaarentie 7.