Review: Rebecca

THE MANSION OF GREAT EMOTIONS

Helsinki City Theatre’s novelty is brilliant musical entertainment.

The musicals of the Helsinki City Theatre have usually been guaranteed performances for theatre lovers who like the genre, as the performers’ professional skills have traditionally been of a high standard and there have been resources to invest in external spectacle.
When I heard that a story known as Alfred Hitchcock’s film has been made into a musical, I was surprised, because you wouldn’t think the story would easily turn into a musical, at least not without some kind of overdramatic pathos. After the performance, all my prejudices evaporated, because almost all the elements of the performance worked so wonderfully.

A dark secret
from the past

Rebecca, the wife of wealthy Englishman Maxim de Winter, has died. He meets a new crush whom he marries. However, the young man soon realizes that the memory of the late mistress is still worshipped in the magnificent Manderley manor. The housekeeper of the manor, Mrs. Danvers, is especially dedicated. Little by little, the mysterious secret about the mansion and Rebecca begins to be revealed.
Pretty much all the basic elements have been included in the musical very successfully. The crowd scenes, set design, costumes, fine music (both solos and group performances) form a solid whole that avoids the possibility of an over-syrupy spectacle surprisingly well. So the show is spectacular, but it doesn’t go overboard at any point, so to speak.

Strong
song interpretations

Many expect catchy melodies from musicals. Not all of the songs in the performance are memorable in any way, but that really doesn’t matter, thanks to the strong story and the strong interpretations of the performers. Above all the other songs, however, is the title tune Rebecca, which really shivers down your spine.
Sari Ann Moilanen , who plays Mrs. Danvers, does an almost otherworldly job in her interpretation. Her character is already such an icy and frightening apparition on stage that when you add a wonderful singing voice to it as she sings about her late mistress… simply a stunning and frightening performance.

The young man, played by Sanna Majuri, is a suitably sensitive and sweet counterpart to Mrs. Danvers’ devilishness and frighteningness. The Major is very delicate in appearance, but his singing voice is great.

Kari Arffman’s role is a bit thankless at first between two strong women, but towards the end, the role itself and Arffman’s performance improve all the time, and his interpretation of the tune Chilling Smile is one of the best and most impressive of the evening.
The performers of smaller roles do a good job across the board.

Katariina Kirjavainen’s set design and Sari Salmela’s costumes are eye-catching, and the changes in the scenes are successfully smooth. Director Kurt Nuotio has made a handsome new chapter in his and the City Theatre’s list of merit