Review: Vampyyrien tanssi
Dance of the Vampires
First time with Dance of the Vampires, yay! I was a little nervous about what was to come – that’s how much my culture blogger colleagues have praised this cult musical, and I don’t even know what they’re talking about. But I have to say that they haven’t made a fuss about it for nothing; Helsinki City Theatre’s Dance of the Vampire is a fast-paced, compelling and blood-curdling musical! Capes flutter, blood flies and canines screech as a handsome band of vampires escort viewers into the dark night of Transylvania on the Peacock stage.
The play is based on Roman Polanski’s 1967 film The Fearless Vampire Killers, which in itself is a cult classic of horror comedy. When, more than thirty years after its release, the film’s immense popularity had not waned, Polanski made a musical version of the film, which premiered in Vienna in 1997, directed by Polanski. The idea for the musical was born from Polanski’s observation that in horror films, teenagers tend to laugh at the most horrible and frightening parts.
I’m rarely a pioneer in anything, or even an early adaptor, and true to my style, I became a part of this vampire cult only 50 years after it was born. Better late than never, right?
In short, the play tells the story of Professor Abronsius (Antti Timonen) and his apprentice Alfred (Petrus Kähkönen), who have arrived in a Transylvanian village in search of vampires. Alfred falls in love with Sarah (Raili Raitala), the enchantingly beautiful daughter of the innkeeper Chagal (Risto Kaskilahti), but unfortunately the vampire count von Krolock (Mikko Vihma) has also caught his eye on the young maiden. An adventurous Sarah goes to the Count’s castle for a ball, and Alfred and the professor follow to rescue the maiden and advance their research.
After the first half, the atmosphere in the media space is through the roof and the discussion at the bloggers’ coffee table is heated. It probably says something about the interest of the performance that there are so many cultural bloggers present! I can’t remember a single event where we were present in such large numbers! Secondly, people have amazing costumes; The signs are also waving on the side of the stands!
The scenery from the sixth row is great – the actors literally come to your skin, and the mist pushed into the hall by the smoke machine with a continuous feed swirls in your feet. Gentlemen Uljas & Ijäs have done a great job with the sets, and the stage alternates between the gloomy castle of the Vampire Count and the cozy inn. Elina Kolehmainen’s costumes are stunning and the detailed work of the camouflage team can also be examined up close (tested!). William Iles’ lights create a chilling atmosphere of a winter’s night in the hall.
Jim Steinman’s music is wonderful to listen to – almost all songs would also work individually. Here again, I’m showing my ignorance in front of the whole nation, but I had no idea that Bonnie Tyler’s blockbuster song Total Eclipse of the Heart is originally from this musical! Siippa likes to sing that song sometimes, but when he can’t remember the lyrics, he sings “turn around white guy” – I laughed a little in the audience when I thought that the lyrics would suit these pale vampires surprisingly well. By the way, I have to say that Marika Hakola’s Finnish translation is just top notch and fits the songs like a glove!
The performances of the premiere are amazing, and especially my all-time favorite Petrus Kähkönen is doing his best. Mikko Vihma’s Count Krolock is a handsome apparition in his leather trousers and he also sings wonderfully. By the way, it reminds me a bit of the ghost of the opera of the Finnish National Opera, right? Did I mention leather pants already? Raili Raitala is the ethereally beautiful Sarah, who sings already on those frequencies that I’m happy that there are no windows or anything else potentially broken in the theater hall. The count’s son Herbert is absolutely exhilarating, and Samuel Harjanne performs his role with devotion. The character of Chagal, the host of Risto Kaskilahti Guesthouse, is a bit strange and annoying. Paul said it well that it feels like the character is from a completely different world than everyone else, and doesn’t really fit in.
All in all, Dance of the Vampires is a very enjoyable and visually delicious show (leather pants, anyone?)! As in musicals in general, the plot is by no means unprecedented, but it is a whole and under Markku Nenonen’s direction, Dance of the Vampires sounds and moves very well. Humour is served in abundance and the fast-paced choreographies give cause for wonder. Except for a few quiet phases, the drive of the performance is well maintained and the bombastic songs raise the mood like at a gig. In the auditorium, there is a great feeling!
At the end of the presentation, my twitter explodes with comments about the performance, which are thrown back and forth. In practice, all comments are praiseworthy, even praiseworthy. Only Chagal gets the note and someone was sorry that the Count couldn’t get the socks rolling on his feet (I disagree – leather pants!!) Many also felt that they had tears in their lenses, but at least I didn’t fall for that this time!
I’m seriously considering rewatching this treat – this maiden voyage made a deep impression on a musical lover! So a warm recommendation for this fast-paced and fun musical! Get ready to enjoy yourself.
Dance of the Vampires at the Helsinki City Theatre until 27.4.2016.