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Occidental Express
An international theatre production is coming to Helsinki !
The Finnish theatre group sadsongskomplex:fi, in collaboration with the Helsinki 98 group, is staging the darkly comic play Occidental Express by the Romanian-French playwright Matei Vișniec at the Helsinki 98 theatre in Tilajakamo, Vuosaari.
Premiere on the 13.9.2026 (SOLD OUT)
Further performances: 15., 18., 20. & 26.09. 2026 as well as 03. & 09.10. 2026
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“OCCIDENTAL EXPRESS”
An international theatre production is coming to Helsinki !
The Finnish theatre group sadsongskomplex:fi, in collaboration with the Helsinki 98 group, is staging the darkly comic play Occidental Express by the Romanian-French playwright Matei Vișniec at the Helsinki 98 theatre in Tilajakamo, Vuosaari.
Vișniec’s play Occidental Express, which has won numerous awards and is highly acclaimed internationally, tells the story of people heading for the mythical West to fulfil their dreams.
But is the European dream, after all, merely a utopia?
International Creative Team
Occidental Express produced by a creative team comprising artists from Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Slovenia & Russia.
Script: Matei Vișniec
Translation, dramaturgy & direction: Jari Juutinen
Set & lighting design: Pavel Semchenko (fled from Russia to Finland in 2022)
Music: Sofia Joons (Sweden/Estonia)
Choreography: Gea Erjavec (Slovenia)
Cast: Pinja Flink, Carlos Orjuela, Jari Juutinen, Sofia Joons
Production: sadsongskomplex:fi and Helsinki 98
Premiere on the 13.9.2026 (SOLD OUT)
Further performances: 15., 18., 20. & 26.09. 2026 as well as 03. & 09.10. 2026
"THE PURGE"
A psychological drama in two acts based on the play by Sophie Oksanen
Directed by Jari Juutinen
Screenography & Art by Teemu Nurmelin
Sound by Ville MJ Hyvönen
Cast: Christina Beruashvili, Mariam Psuturi, Vladimir Novosardov, Luka Dzhishkariani, Archil Baratashvili, Zurab Chipashvili,
Hatia Beruashvili
A collaboration of sadsongscomplex:fi
&
Alexander Griboedov State Drama Theatre
Tbilisi / Georgia
PREMIERE 10.12.2025
First repeat on 19.12.2025
Further performances
throughout 2026...
“OCCIDENTAL EXPRESS”
Premiered on April 30, 2026
Macedonian National Theatre, Skopje
Based on the text by Matei Vișniec and directed by Jari Juutinen, the play explores the illusion of the “West” as a promised utopia. Through a series of vivid, interconnected scenes, it follows characters from the East in their search for a better future - only to confront the fragile nature of that dream. Blending grotesque humor with sharp social insight, “Occidental Express” offers a powerful reflection on migration, identity, and the shifting meaning of belonging.
The project is a co-production between MI Film &Theatre, sadsongskomplex:fi and the Macedonian National Theater and is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia and the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency.
Next performance Tuesday May 12, 8 pm
Get your tickets here...
ULTIMO ATTO
FURTHER PERFORMANCES
COMING SOON...
Public Reception
Premiere of "THE PURGE" at Alexander Griboedov State Drama Theatre, December 2025, Tbilisi / Georgia
HAPPY OPENING NIGHT!
Full theatre, grateful applause - what else do you need for a good mood on premiere day!
Congratulations to all involved!
Nina Shaduri-Zardalishvili