To be Human is a fable for adults about the aspiration towards goodness. There are a brother and a sister who won’t 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 the siblings taking care of their brother have made.
There are 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. Available: FIN, EN
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 Another’s Voice 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
