★★★★★ “A bull’s eye. The performance is skillfully structured and hysterically funny.”
– Helsingin Sanomat / Laura Kytölä

“The performance is cheerfully feminist, blunt and fiercely funny. –Babylon is the star of the night, but she’s not a good guy.” – The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, Tuula Viitaniemi

“Minna Puolanto is a skillful and versatile actor who sticks her neck out as Babylon.” – Turun Sanomat, Irmeli Haapanen

Babylon was The Thing in the Finnish theatre scene in 2018. It received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The show has toured throughout Finland, visiting a number of the country’s most notable theatres, and it was also selected for the lineups of the most important theatre festivals in the country, for example, Tampere Theatre Festival.

In Babylon, the titular character Babylon (Minna Puolanto) wants to solve all the core issues regarding power. Her servant Ré (Hanna Seppä) helps her in the process. This partly autobiographical and hilarious performance tackles a variety of situations where power is exercised. The two clowns bring different scepter wielders onstage, from Madonna to Ronaldo and from Catherine the Great to Donald Trump. The power setting between Babylon and Re is also an essential part in addressing the theme.

The performance, directed by Marielle Eklund-Vasama) asks us why we – almost always – settle into power structures in regard to each other. Can’t we live in an equal society? It also examines the power structures between genders giving fresh perspectives to issues with gender equality.

Duration: 1 h 30 min, no intermission
Age recommendation: For adults and young people 13 and up
Language: Finnish & English

WORKING GROUP

On stage: Minna Puolanto & Hanna Seppä
Directed by: Marielle Eklund-Vasama
Text and dramaturgy: Minna Puolanto, Marielle Eklund-Vasama & the crew
Light design and touring manager: Juha Tuisku
Costume designer and seamstress: Virve Karoliina Balk
Photos: Mark Sergeev
Production: Minna Puolanto, Niina Bergius, Aino Torikka, Anna Jauhola & Mika Vainio / Red Nose Company