Vauva

VAUVA (engl. Baby) is a performance about inherited perfectionism, fitness culture and attempts of hiding weakness. Story starts with exhausted Viivi pumping at the gym and trying to call her mother for help. Just when Viivi is passing out, a Baby appears to her dressing room closet. Baby needs a caretaker, is weak, makes mess, disobeys order, shits his pants and wants to suck Viivi’s boobies. This alone would be too much, but when Viivi’s career-oriented mother Senja walks in, the hell is loose. Senja tries to abort Baby but Viivi won’t let that happen.

VAUVA embodies our era’s detachment from bodily needs. Its aesthetics emphasize the presence of human body by using actor-based lo-fi decisions. DIY aesthetics are mixed with hints of women starred battle-film aesthetics such as the Kill Bills.

VAUVA got its premier in gym class of Helsinki Theatre Academy, where young women have tried to cross their limits since 1943.