SAUNA
PREMIERE
Korjaamo/ Stage-festivaalilla 27.8.2011
MEDIA IN EDINBURGH FRINGE 2018
⭐⭐⭐⭐Arthur's Seat : "The result is effective and somewhat endearing, and perfectly showcases this multi-talented ensemble.
⭐⭐⭐⭐The Stage "celebrates and ritualises a woman’s role in giving life’
⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Wee Review : "innovative mask performance and sound design"
⭐⭐⭐⭐ TW Daily : ”special piece of theatre that should be seen by both adults and children.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐+ 1/2 Fringebiscuit
The F-Word
"Ethereal and calming, The Sauna is a show of childlike wonder."
Total Theatre
"delightful piece of word-free visual theatre, with an enchanting soundtrack – and it’s so good to see the tradition of mask work embraced by young theatre-makers and put to use in an unusual way."
British Theatre Guide
"excellent and beautifully underplayed performances of the three actresses, and the engaging masks."
DESCRIPTION
The Sauna is the story of an old woman. Her intention to die is distracted by the irritating spirit of the sauna. This mythical creature, also known as the elf of the sauna, evokes the corporal memories of the lady and takes her through the chapters of her womanhood.
The Sauna is a speechless mask and object theatre performance accompanied by live sound effects and original music
In the Finnish tradition, sauna has been a solemn place, scene of cleansing, contemplation, birth, and death.
According to Finnish myths, every sauna had its own elf whom you should care for and respect.
Duration: 45 min
Age +8
Language: none
Link to the published reviews (in Finnish and Swedish)
CREDITS
Director / Scenario: Soile Mäkelä
Performers: Johanna Kultala ja Iika Hartikainen
Live sound effects: Riina Tikkanen
Composer: Maija Ruuskanen
Mask makers: Johanna Kultala, Elina Sarno, Soile Mäkelä
Puppet constructors: Johanna Kultala, Elina Sarno
Light designer: Meri Ekola
Technical manager: Anssi Ruotanen
Costume designer: Emmi Vainio
Set designer: Johanna Latvala
Acting workshop: Mario Gonzalez (FRA)
Mask-making workshop: Etienne Champion (FRA)
Video and trailer: Jari Järvi
Photographer: Soile Mäkelä
Producer: yhteistuotanto Teatteri Metamorfoosi/ Jenny Nordlund ja Korjaamo Teatteri/ Irina Duskova & Mirva Pulkkinen
SUPPORTED BY:
ALFRED KORDELIN FOUNDATION
HELSINKI CITY
ARTS COUNCIL OF FINLAND/ NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THEATRE
Reviews
HelsinginSanomat_TheSauna 1.pdf (3.9 MB)
Helsingin Sanomat_Maria Säkö_29.8.2011_
Hufvudstadsbladet 2011_TheSauna.pdf (4.4 MB)
Hufvudstadsbladet_Isabella Rothberg_29.8.2011
About the process
First, there was wood. The working group sculpted wooden masks for the performance together with the french mask maker Etienne Champion in May 2010.
After that, the group was working two weeks in October with Mario Gonzalez and learning new ways to approach mask acting.
During the first rehearsal period, the group worked to make the masks alive and created a lot of physical, audio and written material for the show.
The most joyful part of the rehearsals was the "bodybuilding" for the ladies. The group explored how to continue the mask into the body as an example for the costume designer who will do the naked body costumes for the Sauna.
NAAMIO- JA OBJEKTITEATTERIA
Kokonaamiot pitävät huolen siitä että ilmaisuvastuu siirtyy kehoon ja tilaan. Naamionäyttelijöiden lisäksi saunakuupat, kiulut ja vihdat osallistuvat tarinan kerrontaan, ja löyly on kaikkea muuta kuin vesihöyryä. Objektiteatterin keinot haastavat kokeilemaan myös perspektiivien vaihtelua.