Review: Kaktuksen kukka

Helsinki City Theatre Cactus Flower – BRILLIANT

I came home about half an hour ago from the premiere and I have to pour all the feelings of happiness and positivity on paper right away. Thank you HKT, a warm thank you. I’ll live at least another year thanks to tonight. Laughter prolongs life and without lying, I laughed for at least two hours straight. At the premiere, I lightly spotted familiar celebrity faces, such as Pirkko Mannola, who said in the queue behind me that even though comedy is such a difficult genre, HKT succeeded perfectly and I agree so much. The story is completely stupid in its own way, but it’s still about such an ordinary life. How the lie has short traces and how men are from Mars and women from Venus.

The story of Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Credy was written decades ago, and even in the City Theatre’s adaptation, it is set in France in the 60s, but how it hits the mark in 2016 and hits the nerve of laughter. The same themes are still being lived on. How difficult relationships are and how seemingly small misinformation can take on enormous proportions.

Above all, however, thanks to the super talented actors. Satu Silvo is just divine. I can only hope that when I reach the same age, I can look at least half as divine as she does. A perfectly beautiful woman glowed in her role. And how he did it. A few overbearing expressions maybe, but it didn’t matter. Steadily confident acting. I adore you. An argument with an imaginary husband about imaginary children… unbeatable. Both men and women in the stands enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

Santeri Kinnunen is the perfectly talented child of his talented parents. On their own merits, though. So good in his role once again. I laughed at a middle-aged man’s crush on a woman half his age. So this life. Very good job once again.

And Eija Vilpas. What would this country have lost if you hadn’t become an actor? You are so talented and wonderful. And so suitable for the role of a rich representative of the aristocracy. What if you park in a fine spot. “Today I’m punctual..” (Only 10 minutes late from the doctor’s office). Only people who have a lot of goodness and experiences inside them are capable of such roles. Thank you for being there.

Thanks also to Vappu Nalbantoglu, Frans Isotalo (hmm, well-oiled chest muscles), Eero Saarinen, Jouko Klemettilä and Ilona Chevakova. Great acting from everyone.

The same story on TV would not be the same thing. Live in the theatre, the laughter is contagious and the actors reach the audience with a completely different intensity. The evening was perfect. Thank you my friend for the good company. I laughed at your quiet comment for a long time. It’s wonderful that we have theatre. By all means, go see and enjoy. I sincerely recommend.