The Birds by Aristophanes

May 02 & 03 @ 3 PM

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and witness the uproarious Greek Comedy that will have you in stitches! Join us as we follow the wild adventure of two unlikely heroes, Euelpides and Pisthetaerus, as they venture into the realm of the Birds with a proposition that will blow your feathers off!

This zany tale is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone as our daring duo navigates through the avian domain with their outlandish scheme. With antics aplenty and hilarity at every turn, this is a show that will have everyone cackling with delight.

So gather 'round, folks of all ages, and prepare to be entertained by a riotous romp that's perfect for the whole flock. Don't miss out on the feathered frenzy and get ready to squawk with laughter as you witness the outrageous escapades of our feathered friends and the two bumbling buddies.

Come one, come all, and get ready for a comedy extravaganza that's simply for the birds!

PS: Come to the show dressed as a bird or a Greek god / goddess / demigod. There will be a costume competition after the show with a prize given to the best costume chosen by our cast.

About the Storyline

Fed up with the shadiness, legal battles, and shameless sucking up to the rich and famous in Athens, Pisthetaerus and Euelpides decide to take matters into their own hands and head off to the realm of the Birds. Their mission? To help reclaim their status as gods and stick it to the meddling deities by creating a bird city that not only brings in tribute but also controls the gods' access to the mortals.

Aristophanes' timeless comedy is a riotous takedown of everything from the snooty elites to the fickle gods, and it's a hoot for everyone involved, including the characters, the actors, and even the folks in the audience.

This rollicking tale is a no-holds-barred adventure that follows our daring duo as they take on the gods and put them in their place, once and for all.

The Production and Script

This play is a modernized and rewritten version by director, acting coach, and playwright H. Sven Fernandez. It incorporates elements from Brechtian theatre, modern comedy of errors, comedy of the absurd, sitcom shows, and even mafia film elements. The cleverly devised performance distills the basic elements of Greek farce, often characterized by slapstick, and places it within modern-day clichés and cultural frameworks. This approach not only makes the play upbeat, modern, and dynamic but also ensures that it is understandable to current-day audiences. Whether you're a fan of classic Greek theatre or enjoy modern entertainment, this play offers a unique and engaging experience for everyone.

The comedic elements in the show and the numerous short skits were primarily crafted by the participants of Sven's Drama Training Program, which is available through the Esbo Arbis Institute. This play was partially devised, meaning that many of the characters were based on the ideas and contributions of the students. The interactions between the characters were largely developed by the students themselves, with minimal input from the director. This allowed for a creative and collaborative process in bringing the performance to life.

Dramatis Personae

Rune Fenat - PISTHETAERUS

Frans-Mikael Rostedt - EUELPIDES

Jesse Fokkema - EPOPS

Anna Song - IRIS, INSPECTOR

Merlin Sauer - METON, MESSENGER 1

Jan Vornhagen - TROCHILUS, POET, HERACLES

Hakan Kandemir - LARUS, PRIEST, PROMETHEUS

Regina Comi - PROCNE, PAVUS, POSEIDON

Diana Aimaldinova - CUCULUS, MESSENGER 2, BASILEIA

Lotta Haikala - BUBO, PROPHET, CHERUB

Alena Meshcheriakova - SWAN

Jaana Autio - DEALER IN DECREES

Nella Hulko - Asisstant Director, Props Manager

H. Sven Fernandez - Playwright, Director

Hakan Kandemir - Stage Manager