New Plays from Finland

To be Human (Toisen ääni) is a fable for adults about the aspiration towards goodness. In the play there is a brother and a sister both of whom will not refuse to leave their home because they are caring for their disabled brother. The sister wouldn’t harm an ant, while the brother is waiting for someone to tell him what he wants.

There is Maria, whose children live with their father. Her motherhood is questioned by strangers on the internet and straight to her face. She does not understand the choice that the siblings taking care of their brother have made.

There is a father and a son who have not met in a decade. The son carries with him the dream of a father whom he has never had. The father carries with him a feeling of guilt that he may never even want to give up. The father lives on his memories and traumas of being a soldier stationed in Cairo during the Suez Crisis.

2 F, 3 M

ACT I
1.
REFLECTION

"To do some good for your fellow man. To give. To be human, that’s the key.” 

SISTER

So said philosopher Emmanuel Levinas. It’s like I know him. He’s one of my favorite people.

The Son is standing in the stairwell outside the Father’s apartment.

SON

Now we’re going to tell the truth.

Maria is standing in her home, holding a suitcase.

MARIA

Everything’s fine. Mommy’s here.

The Father, at home in his wheelchair.

FATHER

What was it you said? What was it I didn’t understand?
 

The Sister is at the Mosaic House, working on a mosaic. The Brother is standing next to her.

BROTHER

This is my sister. I’m her brother. 

SISTER

Here I am. To be human. That’s the key.

The musicians play “It’s Only a Paper Moon.” The Brother sings.

Say, it's only a paper moon

Sailing over a cardboard sea

But it wouldn't be make-believe

If you believed in me

Yes, it's only a canvas sky

Hanging over a muslin tree

But it wouldn't be make-believe

If you believed in me

Without your love

It's a honky-tonk parade

Without your love

It's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey world

Just as phony as it can be

But it wouldn't be make-believe

If you believed in me

(...)

[English translation of the play by Kristian London]

"Is evil more interesting than good?” People often argue that this is so. The playwright of the performance aspirations to good contradicts this argument with a charming and beautiful play."

“Can good be more interesting than evil?” – Maria Säkö, Helsingin Sanomat 15 February 2013

"Characters that seem a bit loony and frail and the performance’s fragmentary scenes linked to each other make the play a high rhapsody for seeking goodness, bearing guilt, looking one another in the face."

"The other one first" – Ilona Kangas, Turun Sanomat 16 February 2013