Review: Viimeinen valssi

City Theatre deals with a topical topic
THE LAST WALTZ

The first premiere of HKT’s spring season was “The Last Waltz”, directed by Raila Leppäkoski and based on a text by Carin Mannheimer. Helsinki City Theatre does not disappoint the audience – but meets the expectations of even the most demanding spectator.

Carin Mannheimer is known as a writer who knows how to captivate the general public by writing entertainingly about even serious topics. That is what “The Last Waltz” is, and it has not been criticized for nothing.
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The music is by Pirjo Bergström, who the audience got to know from songs such as Yökehrääjä, Kärpänen’s Child and the Snow White song. The compositions and arrangements of the songs in the performance are by Pirjo Bergström and behind the piano is – who else but Pirjo herself.

Raili Leppäkoski knows how to mix drama and comedy. He is remembered for such plays as “Aunt and I”, “Touring Prize” and “The Troublemaker of the Kingdom”. Leppäkoski has a responsibility to ensure that such a topical topic works and that the audience recognizes the nuances of everyday life either as an elderly person or as a family member of an elderly person. As you get older, life changes its form, and in understanding it, the play depicts many painful things through comedy. The reality of life presented in this way works – at least on the stage of the theatre.

The acting is successful, Ulla played by Riitta Havukainen is also seen in Kirkkonummi from time to time. Sara Paavolainen and Leena Uotila perform their parts in a realistic way, and Ulla Tapaninen’s appearance complements this flock of old ladies with her funny appearance. Antti Litja and Seppo Maijala perform their respective roles excellently. Tom Wentzel plays Axel, who still seems to have women in mind. The care of these elderly people is taken care of by Merja Larivaara, who plays Elsa, for whom care work is a calling, and Vallo, a practical nurse with a foreign background, whose role is played by Sami Hokkanen.

Describing the everyday life and celebrations of a retirement home may not be easy, but this ensemble has succeeded in this demanding task and receives a good grade for the performance. The purpose of the play’s many comic situations is not to offend anyone, that should be remembered.