5 Questions with Sofi Oksanen

We managed to get a moment with her right in the middle of the buzz of central London. Borealis Theatre is currently performing Sofi Oksanen's Purge in London's Arcola Theatre from 22 February until 24 March. Director Elviga Field's production marks the first time that the play has been seen in the UK.

Sofi Oksanen's (b. 1977, Jyväskylä, Finland) thought-provoking debut novel, Stalin's Cows (Stalinin lehmät, 2003), was an immediate success and she soon followed up with the publication of her second novel, Baby Jane, in 2005. Oksanen's third novel, Purge (Puhdistus, 2008), was her major breakthrough and the international bestseller has so far been translated into 38 languages.

Sofi Oksanen studied drama at Theatre Academy Helsinki, Finland, before becoming a full-time writer. Her first original play Purge was performed at the Finnish National Theatre in 2007 to rave reviews. Oksanen later transformed the play into a novel, which became a runaway success. In 2010 the novel won its author numerous literary prizes, such as Finland's premier literary award, the Finlandia Award, Nordic Council's Literature Prize and the FNAC Prize in France.

Watch the interview in Vimeo.

Purge by Sofi Oksanen
Borealis Theatre, in association with Oblique House
Venue: Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL
Dates and times: 22 February - 24 March 2012, 8.00pm
Saturday matinees 3, 10, 17, 24 March, 3pm