Review: Peppi Pitkätossu

Pippi Longstocking serving beautiful moments and anarchy

“Was that a real Pippi?” my child asked after seeing the musical play Pippi Longstocking at the Helsinki City Theatre. I had to think about it for a moment myself, so well does Anna-Riikka Rajanen play Pippi on the Main Stage (Maija Koivisto as the other Pippi apparently in turns). She is exactly the kind of Pippi that I have imagined in my mind since I was little: Small but peppery, hilariously funny but also allowing sad feelings for herself and others. Strong, upright, animal-loving, genuine and generous. And strongly questioning things. I hadn’t guessed that Pippi is also a really good singer. In addition to Pippi’s other special qualities, Rajanen also sings wildly beautifully.

The performance brings to life the strongest girl in the world created by Astrid Lindgren, as well as the locations of the familiar stories. Markus Tsokkinen has conjured up Huvikumpu for the stage of the Main Stage. A sight that I hope I will never forget. Sometimes we pop into a circus tent to compete for the title of the strongest, sometimes in a large pirate ship lit by lanterns. Pippi’s story as a girl who enjoys independence but also misses her parents is spiced up by the beautiful moments created by effects and Jyrki Karttunen’s choreographies. The slow motion of the performers, large snowflakes, the starry sky and the huge waves of the sea contribute to the atmosphere.

The two-hour fast-paced play (including an intermission) entertains from start to finish. At some points, the performance gets almost too wild, as everyone seems to be talking and shouting in unison. Beforehand, I was nervous about whether Pippi’s story had been modernized or whether it still contained colonial echoes. Only at one point, where the fine ladies of the village ask with disapproval where such a horrible child comes from, the text cracked in the ear of the mother of such a multicultural family. The play is textually quite anarchic and straightforward in Pippi’s style as well. For example, it was hilarious for a child when a character in the performance says that he has been floating on his fat. The fart pillow seen and heard on stage also seemed to be a jackpot in the opinion of the child audience. The terminology used in the performance is exactly what we parents warn and reprimand our children about. And the kids love that! Our elementary school student, who was a bit reluctant to go to the theatre before, is already eagerly planning her next trip to the theatre. Pippi Longstocking hit and sank.

Score: 4+/5

Pippi Longstocking on the Main Stage of the Helsinki City Theatre until 29 March.