“Varikko allows space for war sorrow and shared dreams. The view offered by director Pirjo Yli-Maunula and the team is simultaneously poetic and brutal, threatening and comforting. You can’t open the doors to the depot without shivering a little. […] Rarely does one work have as many contact surfaces and current hurtfulness as in Pirjo Yli-Maunula and the teams creation called Varikko. […] There is wildness, adventure and unexpectedness in the depot. […] Perhaps the gentlesness, dreams and the beauty of shared moments help to defend at least a little against the terror of our time and the tyranny of war.”  (Newspaper Kaleva, Eeva Kauppinen 30.8.2022)

VARIKKO continues the series of multi-disciplinary and multisensory immersive performances by Flow Productions. The performance is situated in Oulu’s historic City Depot building, whose stark architecture provides an impressive setting to the events. The audience is free to roam in the building as part of VARIKKO. The experience will be different for every viewer, because the choices they make define their routes and encounters.

VARIKKO is the work of an international team of creators, including dancers, circus artists, actors, musicians and visual artists. The work is directed by dance artist Pirjo Yli-Maunula.

I have the sensation of falling. Reality tumbles down around us, walls crumble and turn to sand. The earth shakes under our feet. When the building speaks to you, what does it say? What is there to do before the waters wash it all away?

Performers: Marta Alstadsæter, Kim-Jomi Fischer, Jared and Katariina Van Earle, Henna Kaikula, Anssi Laiho, Nikke Launonen, Merja Pietilä, Susanna Pukkila, Milla Virtanen

Light design: Jukka Huitila / Set design: Heidi Kesti / Costume design: Sylvi Siltavirta and Pirkko Hansen-Haug / Sound design: Anssi Laiho / Photography: Janne-Pekka Manninen

Assistant: Mirre Calamnius / Rigging and safety: Kari ´Snuupi´Sunnela / Graphic design: Tomi Hurskainen / Set builder: Petri Haapakoski

Production: Flow Productions

Partners: Oulu Theatre, Oulu August Festival, Oulu-Air

We start selling tickets on June 1st, at 2pm: 42€ / 38€ TICKETMASTER.FI and the box office at Cultural Centre Valve (Link: https://www.ticketmaster.fi/venue/oulun-kaupunginvarikko-oulu-tickets/ouv/333)

Duration: approx. 2h

Performances August 27 – September 30, Oulu CIty Depot / Kaupunginvarikko,  Lipporannantie 2

Suitable for adults and young adults over 16 years.

Note: The venue has stairs, so it is unfortunately not completely accessible.