The Finn-Brit Players (FBP) is facing crisis. We usually either break even or record a modest surplus to fund the next adventure, but it's not always easy. COVID-19 has really scrambled our heads.

It's been hard to find any affordable venue in Helsinki for our performances; we dreamed of our own little theatre. We finally managed it; FBP is now the proud tenant of the former Höyhentämö-Pluckhouse theatre on Korkeavuorenkatu. We could also offer it at affordable rates to other groups for their own events.­­

Then, along came the SARS-CoV-2 virus and all potential sources of revenue suddenly evaporated. FBP is left with fixed monthly expenses and no income. The earliest we can cancel the lease is the end of October, by which time we may not be able to finance future productions.

Even when restrictions are eased we cannot operate the theatre at any capacity. The only available options for generating revenue for the rest of the year are through donations and outdoor or online events like play readings, “Zoom” plays, poetry readings, music, etc. for which voluntary modest fees could be suggested. These events will generate limited revenue and thus we must put significant effort into donations.  

Our goal is to raise enough money by August to renew the theatre contract and keep the dream of our own theatre space alive into our new future. We're inviting you and all our friends and fans to give whatever you can afford to help us through this unavoidable crisis. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Please visit our online shop to buy any playwraught-themed ticket to our future. (Or click directly on the links below.) Feel free to post this information on your own FB page if you would like to share with any friends you have that have enjoyed our shows. 

With your permission, your name will eventually appear in a list of donors in some FBP channels and on our website. No contribution amounts will be shown on these pages. Anything and everything helps. Thank you. 

NB The donation drive ended on 17 December 2020.

Join us for two hours of comedy, tragedy and everything in between, delivered in seven plays that, while being short, don’t lack bite.

We strongly recommend that you book in advance, as there is limited seating and these events have previously sold out.

THE PLAYS

MESSIAH WHISKEY  written by Kristoffer Lawson

directed by Kristoffer Lawson & Zach Chamberlaine

In the aftermath of a global disaster, mankind faces its greatest challenge yet.

Cast:
Admiral Radakin – Matthew Paines
General Carter – Zach Chamberlaine
Lieutenant Barker – Mikael Kivimäki
General Carlton-Smith – Richard von Kauffman
General McConville – Kent Tankersley

RŌNIN  written by Andrew Paulsen & directed by Ahti Tolvanen

Punishment or restitution? Rōnin doesn't seek to say one is right over the other, but tries to acknowledge the complications that two social change tendencies have in co-existing, and what can sometimes be robbed from “one left” when the other embraces its practices without considering what might be best for the victim. Jill is like a rōnin, (a homeless warrior), drifting through her political landscape, which she once felt she served, but now is kind of lost.

Cast:
Tara – Iida Karlstedt
Jill – Saara Rüter
Mark – Tom Gilder

F****** DAY  written by Vladislav Nenchev

directed by Vladislav Nenchev & Zach Chamberlaine

It’s the second Sunday in June. A beautiful day is painted across Vienna, and its focal point is a cozy little café near the Danube. Freshness from the river and couples waft around. One of those couples happens upon the café, undoing the serenity of the day. Joint faults on all sides culminate in various resignations and a Viennese coffee, bitter in emotion, as well as in taste...

Cast:
Richard – David Rogers
Sophie – Sarah Puukka
Livia – Paulina Paalama
Matthias – Rick Joosten

BABY STUFF  written & directed by Matias Kylliäinen

Parenthood must be tough. At least I think so. There’s so much that can go wrong or take an unexpected turn. But it must also be a lot of fun. 'Baby Stuff' is a comedy about parenthood through the eyes of a 25-year-old. It plays with the whole journey from having a baby to a young adult eventually flying out of the nest. The journey is full of questions like “What will her first word be?”, “Are we good enough as parents?” and “Why on earth won´t you eat?”. You could sum up parenthood in one fundamental question: will this child turn out just fine?

Cast:
Erika – Esteri Hellgrén
Thomas – Mikael Kivimäki
Maria – Hosanna Megumi
Remover – Matias Kylliäinen

RESET  written & directed by Dish M. Eldishnawy

Now that humans have screwed everything up, maybe we need to reset life on Earth? 

Cast:
Mr X – Rafael Rybczynski
Gabi – Tom Gilder
Man – Dish M. Eldishnawy

VOLCANO INSURANCE  written & directed by Leben Norrie

Insurance is there for those ‘what if’ moments in our lives. Join our neurotic customer as he works out what he needs coverage for in this bizarre skit. FEARS, real and unfounded are covered under any number of our policies.

Cast:
Customer – Graham Lees
Advisor – Iida Karlstedt

CURSE OF THE MEATBALLS  written & directed by Zachariah Chamberlaine

Welcome to the oldest café in town: Molly’s Coffeehouse, established in 1666. In a place like this, you just can’t escape the history (even though you might want to), and its varied menu definitely caters to all tastes (although not necessarily the ones you might expect). Just remember, at Molly’s you can have anything you want as long as…

Cast:
Taylor – Jessica Calonius
Customer – Todd Elliott
Regular – Zach Chamberlaine
Weirdo – Tasha Tolm

Five performances only at Höyhentämö-Pluckhouse (Korkeavuorenkatu 17, 00130 Helsinki)
Tuesday 12 November 2019 at 19:00
Wednesday 13 November 2019 at 19:00
Thursday 14 November 2019 at 19:00
Saturday 16 November 2019 at 19:00
Sunday 17 November 2019 at 14:00

PLS NOTE: Due to the nature of the stage, latecomers cannot be admitted, so please arrive in good time to take your seat. This show contains strong language, and we also kindly ask that you do not bring babies or other young children to the performance.

TICKETS

Bought IN ADVANCE online:
15.00€ – standard admission
11.25€ – students, retired, national service, FBP members

Bought AT THE DOOR (if still available):
16.00€ – standard admission
12.00€ – students, retired, national service, FBP members

Finn-Brit Players members (who have paid their membership fees for the year) may buy a reasonable number of tickets for those accompanying them to the theatre, or for friends and family to watch them on stage. Members will need to have their membership numbers to hand when ordering (in the form FBPXXXX, where XXXX is your four-digit membership number).

See the product description in our Holvi store for information about discount codes and to buy tickets.

WHERE WAS I? 

One bench. Two men. Two topics. Life and death.

Written by Ulf Persson
Directed by Amanda Arttio

CAST & CREW
Frank – Ulf Persson
Bob – John Leo
Annie – Esteri Hellgrén

Lights & sound – Timo Karppinen

PERFORMANCES
Weds 18 September, 6pm
Fri 20 September, 6pm
Tues 24 September, 6pm
Weds 25 September, 6pm

VENUE
Arkadia International Bookshop
Nervanderikatu 11, Helsinki

TICKETS
10.00€ – Standard
7.50€ – Concessions and FBP members

Buy from Holvi