Review: Paavo 1,5

Why do we laugh at Paavo?

It is interesting to mirror the play Paavo 1.5 to the current situation in Finland. Spouses living in a registered partnership are about to have the right to adopt within the family. The aim is to safeguard the best interests of the child.

In the play written by Michael Druker, Jari (Jaakko Saariluoma) and Martti (Eero Saarinen) have a completely strange adopted child. Instead of a baby, a 15-year-old juvenile delinquent Paavo (Petja Lähde) enters the house.

Paavo turns out to be very prejudiced. Gradually, the relationships are sorted out, and an affection begins to develop between Jari, Martti and Paavo. Jari and Martti are like any other couple who have lived together for a long time. There is plenty of mutual tapping and warmth.

Homosexuality is already so commonplace for many that it felt a bit like an afterthought to laugh at Paavo’s horror when he found Jari and Martti on the couch in their arms. Instead, you should think about whether it is really important what gender the child’s parents are if they provide support, warmth and appreciation. Paavo’s fate has passed from one institution to another.

It’s good that gays and lesbians are seen on stage. Now we have come so far that homosexuals have been entertained, but that is only a small break from the legacy of silence. The goal is only reached when it is indifferent to the viewer whether the play deals with the lives of gays or heterosexuals. Then the viewer only recognizes the person who feels and longs the same as they do.

Instead of laughing at homosexual prejudices, it might be time to be shocked by the common conditions of living as a human being.