Humor saves from hate: a contemporary Finnish play to a theater in St. Petersburg

Aleksander Anria was born in St. Petersburg and now returns to the city to direct a Finnish play. Anria has been invited to the Liteiny Theatre to direct a production based on Anna Krogerus’ play Heikko Esitys!. Anria, who has lived in Finland for 26 years, has also translated the play from Finnish into Russian (Vot eto nomer!).

Heikko esitys! is a story of theater professionals and shame that is often associated with working with a living form of art. The comedy in Anna Krogerus’ play rises from the starting point in which a working group with a premiere just around the corner has to develop the text for the play when the playwright is suddenly out of the picture.

The train ride from Helsinki to St. Petersburg lasts three and a half hours. In addition to the short geographical distance, Aleksander Anria believes that art is one way of bringing neighbours closer together.

When talking about artists, Aleksander Anria thinks the play talks about all of us, and especially it could open up the experience of being Finnish to Russian audiences:

“This text presents a new opportunity to break the prejudices Russians feel towards Finns. In a way, the play depicts the Finnish soul.”

Funny Finns

The Finnish play will have its premiere in March, and it has inspired the theater to create additional program about Finnish humor for the St. Petersburg audiences. The sideshow runs under the name of “Funny Finns”. Aleksander Anria:

“The Russian sense of humor is like nothing else. Through Anna Krogerus’ play, the Russians have a chance to get to know the Finnish sense of humor. Understanding how others think brings people closer together and prevents hate, even wars! It is great that the theater decided to raise Finnish culture on the centenary of Finnish independence.

Active St. Petersburg theater enthusiasts recognize also Mika Myllyaho’s play Panic. The contemporary, smart comedy has been performed all around the world and also in several Russian cities and theaters. Anna Krogerus’ Heikko esitys! now has a chance to satisfy St. Petersburg audiences’ craving for comedy.

The Liteiny Theatre was established in 1909, which makes it one of the oldest theaters in St. Petersburg. The theater has its roots in a glorious artistic tradition, and its new line includes stage adaptations of contemporary foreign plays. Anria’s directorial visit represents the institution’s current, future-oriented way of thinking to the theater’s Director Sergey Morozov. A good example of the theater’s own warm and humoristic attitude is how Vasja the Cat, who lives and works at the theater, is presented in the theater’s marketing.

***

In addition to Russian, Heikko esitys! has also been translated into German (Die Schwache Vorstellung). Aleksander Anria was awarded the TINFO grant to support the translation work. The performance rights of plays by Anna Krogerus are managed by Nordic Drama Corner.

Theatre Info Finland (TINFO)’s press and communications officer Sari Havukainen discussed with Aleksander Anria.