Tarpeettomia ihmisiä

Original name Tarpeettomia ihmisiä
Kirjoittajat Reko Lundán
Original language Finnish
Premiere year 2003
Theater KOM-teatteri / KOM Theatre
Keywords Drama

Synopsis

Characters: 2 men, 2 women.

Tarpeettomia ihmisiä (Unnecessary People) is a necessary story about unnecessary people, as well as a strong statement for small individuals.
Kari is a machine mechanic whose last job was to mount a new automated production line for the steel mill he works for – a process which eventually makes him obsolete. Kari is made redundant regardless of his long working experience, professional skills and expertise.
The play portrays those five hundred days during which Kari transforms from a working man to a member of the long-term unemployed. His self-esteem crashes down and physical strength remains his only means to manifest his existence. Kari becomes the mask of a cornered, desperate beast.
The play illustrates one of the deep contemporary Finnish tragedies. Lundán constructs the story unpretentiously. The events proceed with an Aristotelian inevitability towards their tragic, violent end. Lundán's text is harrowingly real and touching, but in spite of the bleak subject, he also finds humour in the everyday that is impossible not to laugh at.

Translations

Language English
Translation name Unnecessary People
Translators Triin Sinissaar
Copies available Theatre Info Finland (TINFO), www.tinfo.fi/grant
Drama agency Agency North Ltd, contact(a)agencynorth.com

Language Estonian
Translation name Tarbetud inimised
Translators Ülev Aaloe
Copies available Theatre Info Finland (TINFO), www.tinfo.fi/grant
Drama agency Agency North Ltd, contact(a)agencynorth.com

Language Swedish
Translation name Onödiga människor
Translators Lars G. Thelestam
Copies available Theatre Info Finland (TINFO), www.tinfo.fi/grant
Drama agency Agency North Ltd, contact(a)agencynorth.com

Language Czech
Translation name Zbyteční lidé
Translators Otto Kauppinen
Drama agency Agency North, contact(a)agencynorth.com