Review: Miten menestyä vaivatta liike-elämässä

Theatre is entertainment, and the purpose of entertainment is to bring extra joy to our lives in the midst of our routines and everyday lives. Sometimes, however, in entertainment, we come across gems that downright dazzle us.

These such plays are the pinnacles of entertainment, stretching the boundaries by being more than the sum of their parts. Suddenly, we are no longer just talking about entertainment, but we are talking about experiences and moments. Moments that are here now and that will soon have disappeared out of reach. These are the thoughts I had about the musical comedy How to Succeed Effortlessly in the Business World, which is not only a good theatre play, but it is one of the reasons why we love theatre in the first place.

From the very beginning of the play, it is clear that there will be a show, in a word, an unbridled, American-style spectacle. Right from the start, a whole office full of credible people standing with wax doll-like firmness is dressed on stage. From the roof of the theatre, on the other hand, the window washer J. Pierrepont Finch, or Antti Lang, descends, who manages to charm the entire 2-hour and 45-minute show with his charisma.

Opportunistic Finch is convinced that the guide in his hands will one day propel him to the top of the business world. However, there are flamboyant personalities such as Esko Roine’s hilarious CEO and Bud Frump, played by the Loiri-style Ilkka Forss. Compared to most comedies, it’s surprising how the plot keeps its grip on you all the time, stays together and doesn’t let up for a moment.

In addition to the funny characters, How to Succeed in Business is bursting with sitcoms and great dance and music numbers. Every aspect exudes quality, and even the moving set design is ingeniously seamlessly.

Considering that the line-up is so diverse, it is a pleasure to say that even the tempo and rhythm are beyond reproach. The audience never gets bored and even each song number leaves you hoping that the team behind the play would release a music CD covering all the performances. Or how do you get rid of these earworms? One last thank you must be given to the exceptionally good script, which contains information about the career backgrounds of those involved in the play.

When the theatre was left behind, both me and my friends praised the show and said that somehow we felt like crying – at the very least, it is an indication that we have just experienced something magical.