HS -WORKING TITLE

”HS” is a one woman theatrical performance about the Finnish painter Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946). The collage-like performance dives into Helene's inner-life in thirteen scenes that are not set in chronological order with her life. We reveal Helene Schjerfbeck’s inner tensions and dynamics that are brought by her different life situations. A lonely cello music reflects Helene’s feelings about love, pain, her disappointments and happiness. The catalyst and the thread throughout the piece is her unshaken-ness; Helene Schjerfbeck found her way in art and life early on in her life. We reveal her yearning to be heard as an artist as well as a woman.

Performances in English are available by booking +358-40-779 33 36.

HS-Working Title opened in Gallery Sam Vanni on May 7 th 2004 in Helsinki, Finland. Since then Meri Pakarinen has performed HS-Working Title for example in Tampere Theatre Festival in summer 2004 and in the Night of Arts in Helsinki. One of the latest performances has been in the Art Museum of Villa Gyllenberg in Kuusisaari, Helsinki and in Riihimäki Art Museum.

Meri Pakarinen came to Penny Allen in Los Angeles with her original concept of the project in 2002. Together they explored the theatrical dynamic of this great woman’s life and work. Meri Pakarinen wrote and compiled the text and will play part of Helene. Meri Pakarinen received her theatrical training abroad, in London and in US. She has worked extensively abroad in film and theatre. “HS” is the first completed part of her project that includes four other women artists in theatre, music and dance.

Penny Allen, the artistic director of “HS” project, began collaborating with Meri Pakarinen in Los Angeles in 2002. Helene Schjerfbeck is one of five women which were explored in this project, which deals with women’s creativity and their loves. She feels privileged, that their hard work is bearing fruit in Gallery Sam Vanni.

Penny Allen has worked exclusively as an actress in theatre and film for the past 40 years. She has directed many plays from classical to avant-garde in N.Y.C. and in Los Angeles and has served as artistic consultant to actors, directors and writers for the past 15 years. She was honored to be back in Finland where she partook in the ITI Theatre Congress as visiting director from U.S.A in 1989 Festival.

Various people have supported Penny Allen’s talent, many who are international Giants of the art world. Director Jane Campion (Piano, Portrait of a Lady and Holy Smoke) says about her: “...there must be a greater purpose, and that’s what I saw unfold before me. The Greater Purpose ... Penny Allen. This woman has a passion, a grasp of deep psychology, and a grip on the analysis of story, of plot, of character, of humor, of how to soothe the amazed director that I know I will never meet again.”

Al Pacino, who directed her in the lead part of Elisabeth in his film Looking for Richard, says about Penny Allen: “She has visionary status; she has perceptions that go beyond almost anything I’ve come in contact with.” In his turn Oscar winner Sean Penn says simply: “In short, I think that to whatever capacity she sought to lend her talents, a hell of a kid would be born.” Martin Sheen says: “She’s one of the most talented people I have ever worked with.” And Mikhail Baryshnikov, the great dancer says of her: “She has an extraordinary ability to connect with what is deepest and most pure in a performer’s psyche. She works instinctively with unerring sense for what is honest and unaffected. She has my utmost respect.”

Hannu Kiiski, a teacher in Sibelius Academy and Cello Artist, has provided the assistance with music.

Tomas Nunez-Garces has played cello in live and on tape in the performances. The music is by Gaspar Cassado, Johan S. Bach, Aulis Sallinen and Paul Hindemith.

HS-WORKING TITLE continues performing in Finland in various venues and festivals in Finland and abroad.