Review: Striking 12

The actor duo’s energetic souvenirs from America

It doesn’t always occur to you to tell your neighbour about a theatre performance you’ve just experienced that it was a performance that must be heard above all. This is what I say about the latest premiere at the Helsinki City Theatre. I say, despite the fact that Striking 12 is not a traditional style musical.

Live rock concerts, stand-up comedy, musical theatre, even stories. All of this is encompassed by what grabbed Samuli Harjanne and Petrus Kähkönen on the actor’s friends’ recent study trip across the great sea.

The Finnish audience is now lucky that the duo happened to get acquainted with a musical play that attracted attention on the North American continent, took it as their own, took over the keyboard and drum battery – and now perform it at Studio Pasila.

Here, one of the tricks of a completely new kind of performing arts is that the stage is taken over by those who are skilled in many things, and thus by those who are skilled in exhibitions, singing and playing.

The energy was contagious, the incitement worked. In the case in question, the third link required is Veera Railio. An electric violin hangs from his collar for almost the entire performance, which lasts more than an hour and a half, and Railio turns out to be at least equal to his partners.

They advertised the performance in advance as energetic and engaging. They didn’t promise too much. The energy was contagious, the incitement worked, and the rock leg was able to swing comfortably in the suitably rocking seats of the stands.

The main culprits for the speed of the action are Brendan Milburn, Rachel Sheinkin and Valerie Vidoga, who were responsible for the composition and script.

With the exception of the end, the music was quite high-pitched and loud. So it’s just right for a youth story like this.

So it was about a youth story, about the interaction of partygoers. The main character didn’t like partying, even though it was New Year’s and all. His friends persuaded him to join in, but the guy wasn’t in the mood.

Interestingly, the authors had included H.C. Andersen in their story. However, the fairy tale of the Match Girl was not at all right to lift the main character’s spirits. However, in the virtual snowfall at the end, everything is right, that is, well.

The choreography of the performance seemed to follow the pattern of the original creators and the tactics of three action points. Railio was able to break the decision by running the most.

Kähkö almost became a pity. His arm strength was put to the test, but his butt was probably numb. You don’t just separate from the drums when you have to play. The solo song Rumpalille at the end gave Kähkönen the opportunity to show that he has talent, even though he hasn’t gone to any drum schools.

Harjanne was clearly the most professional singer of the group and mastered his instrument that was the most “vocal” even in delicate situations.