Lopputulsuna

Lopputulsuna is a term used in Finnish performing arts to describe a stylistic approach that foregrounds the ending of a performance as a primary expressive act rather than merely a conclusion. In this usage, the final moment, its restatement, or its aftereffects become the central focus of the work, shaping how the audience experiences the piece as a whole.

Etymology and scope: The word is constructed from loppu, meaning “end” in Finnish, with a coined suffix -suna that signals an abstract practice or style. The term is primarily used by critics and theorists within contemporary theatre and performance discourse.

History and development: Lopputulsuna emerged in the early 2000s within Helsinki’s experimental theatre and the broader Nordic avant-garde scene. It spread through discussions about how endings can function as a diagnostic or regenerative moment for what a performance is and how it lingers in memory after the stage lights go down.

Practices and aesthetics: Characteristic features include delayed curtain drops or deliberate blackout, extended post-closure silence, and the incorporation of a lingering or evolving soundscape after the visible end. The final gesture or sequence may be repeated, varied, or reframed, while dramaturgical structures often deprioritize traditional plot resolution in favor of experiential closure and audience reflection.

Reception and influence: Critical responses to Lopputulsuna vary. Supporters view it as a means to cultivate depth, memory, and space for interpretation, whereas critics sometimes argue that prolonged endings can disrupt narrative drive. The concept is frequently discussed alongside postdramatic theatre, performance art, and phenomenological approaches to time and space.

Related topics include postdramatic theatre, performance art, and theatrical closure.