Review: Nainen ja anjovis

Cling film and rubber chickens

A successful theatre evening does not always require grandiose sets or large groups of actors. The Woman and the Anchovies monologue, which has been running to full audiences at Studio Pasila since mid-November, is so hilarious to watch that you almost leave the screening with pee in your pants.

The reason is the excellent Heidi Herala, who has the ability to grow Sinikka Nopola’s texts into downright absurd spheres.

The performance, which lasts just under two hours, philosophizes in the Häme dialect about, among other things, hose nozzles, obsessive cling film for food, rubber chickens and, of course, anchovy jars.

The good text and excellent acting are complemented by music composed by Heidi’s own son, the talented Lauri Maijala.