The concept is simple: we read a play together out loud in good company. Everyone who wants to gets a chance to read, but it's perfectly okay just to listen. Copies of the script will be available to participants during the event. Please note that play readings are not performances.

After the reading, we hang around for a bit to chat about the play and other things. Remember to bring your own snacks and refreshments.

We often read plays to see if anyone is interested in putting on a production, or to give actors the chance to familiarise themselves with a play in advance of upcoming auditions. Play readings may also act as script workshops – the playwright wants to hear the play read aloud and get feedback in order to edit the play before the first performance. 

New play readings will be added to the "upcoming" list as they are decided upon.

WEDS 14 AUGUST at 7 PM – THE LAST OF THE WILD BEES by Vladislav Nenchev

The August reading will be a script workshop and chance to read the play in advance of the auditions on Saturday 31 August. The reading will be led by Vladislav Nenchev, who is looking for both feedback on the script and actors interested in an autumn production.

THE PLAY
This is the not-so-distant future of ours, in which all species of wild bees have gone extinct. The Wild Bees of Ettlingen, often addressed just as "The Bees", is a small volunteer organization dedicated to taking care of the forests and meadows which have lost their most impactful natural pollinators.

We focus on four of the most pivotal members of The Bees as they prepare for one of their regular "flights". Even though they have plenty of flights behind their backs, this one is not going that well. In fact, it's gearing up to be a monumental disaster, as multiple conflicts, rivalries, and personal problems threaten the future of these guardians of the memory of lost species. Will The Bees survive these troubles, or will they ultimately join the actual wild bees in history?

SUN 1 SEPTEMBER at 1 PM – PURGE by Sofi Oksanen

The September reading will be a chance for actors to familiarise themselves with the play in advance of a preliminary casting session on Sunday 8 September.

THE PLAY
Purge is a chilling drama of two generations of women. Set in the occupied Estonia of the 1940s and again in the same country fifty years later, the playl grapples with the realities of a new Europe.

VENUE & HOW TO ENTER
The readings will be held in at the NoName Theatre (Hietaniemenkatu 7B, 5th Floor, 00100 Helsinki). The entrance is technically on Lapuankatu, past the K-Market. Ring the "5th Floor" buzzer to the left of the blue gate under the "Keskisuomalainen Osakunta" sign. The main door will probably be unlocked, but if not, ring the fifth-floor buzzer by the door. Once inside, take the elevator up to the fifth floor.

ADMISSION
Admission is free, but a small voluntary entrance fee on-location would be greatly appreciated to help cover our venue and printing costs.

Are you interested in English-language theatre in Helsinki? If so, you should join us on the Night of the Arts (Thursday 23 August 2018), when we’re offering you the chance to both watch and take part in some free theatrical fun, and also chat to some of our members over a cup of tea or coffee.

There will be performances showcasing some of our regular and less-regular activities, including a short play, a Shakespeare sketch, performance poetry, music, and stand-up comedy. (More information about these will be released on Facebook and our website in the run up to the event.)

We’ll also be running two participatory sessions in which you can try your hand at acting. No previous experience is required, but places are limited and you will have to register before the sessions start. We will take people in order of registration up to a maximum number of participants. PLEASE NOTE that you can only register for these sessions at the theatre on the Night of the Arts from 16:45 onwards, so please do not try to register here or otherwise online.

The schedule for the evening is below. If you're taking part in the participatory sessions, please arrive at least 15 minutes before they start.

VENUE: Höyhentämö–Pluckhouse, Korkeavuorenkatu 17, 00130 Helsinki

Doors open 16:45
17–18 Performances – the first chance to see our show
18–19 Participatory session #1 + mingling in the foyer
19–20 Performances – a second chance to see the show
20–21 Participatory session #2 + mingling in the foyer
Doors close 21:30

Entrance to all our performances and events on the Night of the Arts is FREE, but please note that seats and participatory places are limited and we'll be operating on a 'first come-first served' basis.

Here is the beautiful bouquet donated by Helsinki's Finnish British Society to help us celebrate our 35th anniversary as a theatre company.

The card that accompanied the flowers was signed by Mira, Harriet, Tuukka, Raimo and Gary, and bore a quotation from Nietzsche:

'To become mature is to recover that sense of seriousness which one had as a child at play.'

Keep on playing.

Anna Olkinuora will be running a physical theatre workshop for us on 5 November 2016, 1–4 pm, at the Finnish-British Society (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9).

During the workshop we will explore our relationship with our own bodies, the space around them, and the relationship between voice and movement; letting ourselves be present in the body and in the moment.

Images, thoughts, text and music are used as stimuli to move our bodies in the way that comes naturally us, find new ways of expressing ourselves and explore ways to possibly incorporate this into stage work.

The workshop is not one particular method one has to rationally or intellectually understand, but a series of excercises taken and developed from various theatre and performing arts practices. We will spend the day exploring creative movement exercises, buto dance, physical theatre games, vocal exercises and holistic movement methods.

The workshop is open to anyone interested in movement or theatre, no previous experience is necessary.  Please wear clothes that you are comfortable moving in and enter the space with an open, playful mind. 

BUY YOUR TICKETS BY 31 OCTOBER

Get your tickets here

PLS NOTE The workshop will only take place if there are a minimum of 7 participants. A confirmation email will be sent on 1 November.

Join us on 22 October 2016 at Helsinki’s atmospheric ship restaurant Wäiski to celebrate 35 years of the Finn-Brit Players. We’ll have the entire top deck to ourselves from 6 pm–1 am for a fun-filled evening of food, music and entertainment.

Food
We’ll be providing Wäiski’s First Mate’s buffet:
- marinated vegetables, three-cheese salad, Waldorf salad, and bread
- chicken in apple sauce, pork fillet in creamy pepper sauce, and creamed potatoes
- chocolate mousse cake with coffee/tea

Alternatives will be available for those with special dietary requirements.

Drinks can be purchased from the bar – no own beverages.

Entertainment
You'll be providing much of the entertainment for this special evening. A poem, a monologue, a dialogue, a song, a sketch, a joke, a solo or an ensemble... it's completely up to you, but maximum 10 minutes. If you'd like to perform, please provide Zoë with details by 8 October (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Music
Remember to bring your dancing shoes as a little later in the evening we'll be handing over to the Reinhard band for some live music. Reinhard's inspiring rock music will give you a good reason to get out of your chairs or just enjoy listening to some favourite tunes.

Dressing up
Who’s your favourite entertainer? Ever wished you could be them? Well now’s your chance, as we’re encouraging everyone to come dressed as their favourite entertainer from the world of stage, screen, music or wherever. (N.B. Costumes are optional, so feel free to come dressed however you wish.)

TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY 13 OCTOBER
The catering service requires exact numbers in advance, so all tickets must be purchased by 13 October. Please note that refunds on cancellations will not be issued after 13 October.

FBP members: 25€ *
Non-members: 30€

*Members may purchase two tickets at this price, for themselves and an avec.

Buy your tickets here

We hope to see you all there – both old faces and new!

WHAT: The Finn-Brit Players' AGM with FREE DRINKS and snacks
WHEN: Friday 23rd January 2015 at 7:00 pm
WHERE: FINNBRIT, Fredrikinkatu 20 A, Helsinki (MAP)

Welcome to the Finn-Brit Players Annual General Meeting on 23 January 2015, at 7:00 pm.

At the AGM, the future of the association is decided: membership fees are set, a new committee is elected, the old one evaluated, and the new budget adopted. The proposed activity plan will also be presented and your suggestions for additional activities, events and productions will be most welcome. Snacks and refreshments will be available.

You can download the agenda for the 2015 AGM here. An active society needs active members, so please come along and have your say!

If you really want to influence how the society is run and make it even more active, then why not run for committee! Fill in the form included with the agenda, have your nomination signed by two other members of the Finn-Brit Players, and return it to a committee member before the AGM begins. You can get the signatures at the meeting itself and return it right before the meeting starts.

Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting, but only members for 2014 are eligible to vote. The membership fee will be decided at the meeting, after which annual subscriptions for 2015 will be due. Please note that new members may not be registered for a period of two weeks before the date of the AGM. See you on 23 January! And remember, free drinks and snacks!

WHAT: Murder Mystery Evening

WHEN: Saturday 17 January, 6–9 pm

WHERE: Forum Box, Ruoholahdenranta 3a, Helsinki (Map)

You are invited to a memorial function for John Black, the successful businessman and amateur artist who died suddenly on Boxing Day. And unfortunately, it seems that the New Year is going to see another sudden death....

As a detective, it will be your job to solve the case by observing and interacting with the mourners. There will be a nice prize for the cleverest detective!

Wine and nibbles will be served.

It's not obligatory, but we hope you'll come in character.

NOTE! This is a participatory murder mystery evening, not a performance

Ticket sales have closed, and tickets will NOT be sold at the door.