Review: Pappas pojkar

DADDY’S BOYS – MORE FUN THAN EXPECTED

The English writer Simon Mendes da Costa has succeeded in writing a play that can well be said to be good enough. The boy returns to his childhood home to bury his father, and in order to gain depth in the events, the past and present are actually played out at the same time, side by side. However, the whole thing is a success, thanks to director Pentti “Bono” Kotkaniemi.

The young father Louis (Sampo Sarkola) lives a double life with Isabella (Edith Holmström) and his wife (Maria Lundström). The opening with a hot act of love in the large double bed grips the audience from the first second. The fact that it alternates between the present and the past 40 years ago makes the beginning a little confused, but once you get started, the times actually play out in a way that supports each other and makes the somewhat secretive life, which Dad has had, explain a lot to the boys who may not have the warmest brotherly relationship.

The older brother Tony (Sixten Lundberg) and the younger successful yuppie brother Reggie (Nicke Lignell) are two completely different types. Tony is an “ordinary” man and in his jealousy and eagerness for the bottle completely different from his little brother who is handsome and has an elegant wife Elisabeth (Mia Hafrén). The older brother’s wife Sheila (Pia Runnakko) fits well into the picture, a little pathetic and silly.

The actors for these roles could not have been chosen better. What a lovely soup it will be. Sixten Lundberg looks funny in himself, and does his role in a phenomenal way. Nicke Lignell charms the female spectators in particular, and Pia Runnakko is absolutely incredible with the empathy and body language she brings to the table. Yes actually, the spectacle, there we see portraits that could certainly be found as many as possible around the country.

The whole spectacle takes place in a single room, the bedroom, where Dad has had hot moments with his mistress. The room is familiar to both boys from childhood, and in the same room they are now arguing about the inheritance and how the funeral should have been handled. Eventually, the audience will see that everything is not as it seems from the beginning. It alternates between funny lines and seriousness – but it is done elegantly and the audience is constantly waiting for what is to come.

The fact that Lilla Teatern offers fun plays certainly makes the audience grateful. There is a demand for relaxing theatre in today’s busy society. Just hop on the bus and go to town – it pays off.