Review: Katri Helena

Emotional Katri Helena

Helsinki City Theatre’s Katri Helena musical makes the audience laugh, but tears cannot be avoided either.

Katri Helena Kalaoja’s path to becoming a fixed star in the Finnish schlager scene has not been a bed of roses. This will become clear at the latest in the Helsinki City Theatre’s major musical of the autumn season.

The musical follows the turning points of Katri’s life from childhood to the 2000s. The story is punctuated by the beloved singer’s evergreen and even slightly less well-known songs. The audience of a magnificently executed large-scale production can easily empathize with both the singer’s joys and sorrows.

The wonderfully voiced Sanna Majuri , who plays Katri Helena, has been made to look so like her role model that sometimes the viewer has to remind themselves that the real and authentic Katri is not on stage.

The musical has many delicious supporting roles, such as the journalist Suni (Sari Siikander), who is a nuisance to Katri, and the old fan Ritva Virtanen-Määttä, whose role is perfectly suited to the role of the comedian Eija Vilpas .

Katri Helena, written by Ilpo Tuomarila and directed by Tiina Brännare, is also a visually impressive experience. The revolving stage has been used to its full potential, and the lights and images projected onto the stage have been carefully thought out.