Review: Nuoruuden suloinen lintu

That’s how youth went

Tennessee Williams’ play from 1959 The Sweet Bird of Youth Is Tough
A piece that doesn’t let the viewer off the hook. It makes him look at life too
brutality: the desire for power and the use of power, corruption and
double standards, clinging to youth and getting older, subjugation and
submission, renunciation and exploitation. Current themes.
None of the characters in The Sweet Bird of Youth are free and exude joy of life
Except for small glimpses of the past.

At the beginning of the play, the settings are set and many plots are presented,
that are woven together in the second act: An aging actor, ancient
adored diva Princess Kosmonopolis (Kyllikki Forssell), gets lost in the
with his son Chance Wayne (Oskari Katajisto) to his hometown,
where a man is not welcomed. Boss Finley holds power in the city
(Kalle Holmberg), whose daughter is a lover’s youthful dream and a decayed
the memory of innocence.

Forssell and Katajisto are disarmed in a mutual battle in which
power relations change. Occasionally vibrating bead curtains and abstract in the background
music is like a premonition of the future. Wayne’s dream of the beloved of his youth
and great success is one bubble. Atmosphere
lightened by the couple’s momentary understanding as Wayne talks about his youth.
There are a lot of mentally devastated people at the end: the Boss’s daughter,
his girlfriend, his wife’s sister and many of the Boss’s minions. It remains open whether they will meet
In his concluding remarks, Wayne finally reveals reality: the unity of people and time
inevitable wear and tear, or was it just a pathetic appeal, the last
role.

Kyllikki Forssell is a pleasure to watch. What a mix of people seeking refuge
pill-ridden old woman, strict wielder of power and ruthless
publicity pain, spiced up with a touch of life insight and momentary
compassion. Oskari Katajisto also lives a handsome arc on stage
from complacency to miserable bravado that is at its most harrowing when he
brags in front of his former acquaintances. – By the way, a familiar arrangement from many
class reunions.

Vuokko Hovatta draws a touching picture in the part of the beloved Heavenly Finley
about a young woman who gave up. Doll-like stepping on the floor squares of the home and
mechanical sound tell of an internally destroyed person.
Kelle Holmberg is impressive, ruthless and charming in the role of the Boss.
He grows larger than reality in his chilling speech from the giant screen.
In it, double communication, moralism and appealing to human emotions celebrate –
familiar pattern even today.

Perhaps the most aware of the reality of the group is Aunt Nonnie, whom Marja-Leena Kouki
warmly. He asks Wayne a far-reaching little question:
Would everything have gone differently if you could have admitted that you lost? Good
A question for the viewer as well. Maybe real life starts when you look into your eyes
what is true?

Tennesee Williams: The Sweet Bird of Youth. Translation: Kersti Juva. Directed by Kaisa
Korhonen. Cast: Oskari Katajisto, Kyllikki Forssell, Kalle Holmberg,
Vuokko Hovatta and Marja-Leena Kouki.
Premiere at the Helsinki City Theatre 25.9.