Review: Katri Helena

Katri Helena offered handkerchiefs

It is impossible to think of the Helsinki City Theatre’s Katri Helena musical as an independent work of art. It is so strongly built on the fact that people love Katri Kalaoja and know her music and life story.

Sanna Majuri copes well with the meandering title role, and the orchestra is top-notch. Mother Bertta, played by Sinikka Sokka, glows with Karelian wisdom. Panu Rajala, played by Kari Arffman, is a flattering slacker, a snob sower of literary quotes. Sami Hokkanen also miraculously looks like Timo Kalaoja.

At the premiere, Katri asked her acquaintances if they had a handkerchief with them. If not, Katri offered her own money: this is necessary.