PatriarkkaThe Patriarch
Upon their retirement, construction engineer Heimo and language arts teacher Virpi move to France. Yet Heimo finds it impossible to settle into a life of leisure; a man of action, he is used to shouldering responsibility. Despite Virpi’s resistance, he is determined to go back to Finland to see if there is one more service he can perform for his country. Their return disrupts the lives of the couple and their children, calling to the surface tensions and suppressed feelings that have accumulated over the years. Intergenerational conflict comes to a head when all that has been left unsaid comes bursting out. Each member of the family is forced to look in the mirror and ask, “What is my place in the world?”
Written for the Finnish National Theatre’s 140-year anniversary, the text skilfully melds universal and personal themes: conflicts between generations and genders, the changing world, aging, and love. In the minds of many, its biting, funny dialogue, intellectual and emotionally engaging storyline, and revealing yet empathetic portrayal of humanity made the production the theatre event of the year.
The play has been translated into English and German.
”Jokela’s dialogue is sharp, bright, and funny – it’s hard to think of a production this good in the recent history of the Finnish National Theatre.”
-Marketta Mattila, Teatteri & Tanssi
”The ideological debates are so pithy that the audience can’t help but be entertained.”
-Soila Lehtonen, Aamulehti
