Review: The Producers
The Producers is obscenely funny
In a world full of taboos and overly correct, it’s relaxing to laugh at all possible things for a while. One of the tasks of theatre is to give the viewer an unbelievably funny and cleansing feeling.
Helsinki City Theatre brought Mel Brooks ‘ musical The Producers, which premiered almost 40 years ago, to Finland. Director Neil Hardwick saw The Producers in New York and says he laughed throughout the show. He signed up to direct the Finnish premiere right away.
The Producers at the Helsinki City Theatre is a visual firework. Jyrki Seppä’s set design is stunning. Elina Kolehmainen enchants the audience with her imaginative costumes. Choreographer Markku Nenonen makes the most of the skilled dance group. The orchestra of almost twenty people plays divinely. Nick Davies and Henrik Wikström alternate as conductors.
There are no dead moments in the nearly three-hour musical. The only stuttering situation arises from the storytelling in the first part, which does lay the groundwork for future events. After that, there is no more explanation, but the action continues at full speed.
Neil Hardwick’s direction is a solid overall work of art. The director holds the strings in his hands, but gives the talented actors just the right amount of space to romp.
Success from the flop
Written by Brooks, the story takes viewers to Broadway in 1959. The World War was not long ago, and the winds of the Cold War were penetrating the theatre as well. Producers Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom decide to produce a bad musical and put investors’ money in their vests.
The text is found to be the overly stupid Spring Dawns for Hitler written by the Nazi Franz Liebkind. The director is the impractical Roger de Bris, who with his gay staff is hired by the producers. Bimbo Swedish blonde Ulla is hired as a female star. It’s just a shame that the mess that was meant to be a flop turns out to be a box office success.
Veteran Esko Roine is enjoyably rough in the role of the aged Max. The sensitive and nuanced Antti Timonen is his delightful producer partner. In addition to both men, Anna-Maija Tuokko charms the audience in the role of the adorable Ulla. Tuokko’s role is fresh and fresh.
Santeri Kinnunen’s goofy gay director is hilarious. Lari Halme giggles as his partner and makes the audience howl with laughter. Risto Kaskilahti’s Nazi is in the same league in its madness. As a professional, Kaskilahti does not fall into excesses, even if there are opportunities to do so.
Grandmas and
Nazis
In his musical, Mel Brooks slams homosexuals, Jews and Nazis. The same fate will be suffered by accountants and Swedes. One of the gypsies on Manne TV has also been auditioned on Broadway.
Rich and erotically energetic grannies are a chapter of their own. Producer Bialystock rolls the grannies on his couch and robs them of their sponsorship money. At its wildest, the stage is filled with grannies dressed in pink jacket suits, dancing with their walkers.
Another stage image, funny in its madness, is created of Nazis dancing in their silk shirts. In the background, swastika flags made of glitter fabric flicker. The scantily clad dancing girls depict the material achievements of the Third Reich with their headgear. One has Volkswagens in his hat.
The Producers is one of the best musicals I’ve ever seen. The boldness and bravadocity of Mel Brooks’ witty text found excellent interpreters at the Helsinki City Theatre.