Review: Tunneli

A masterful cross-section of life

The Tunnel, choreographed by Arja Raatikainen for the Helsinki City Theatre Dance Group, fits the whole picture of life into its hour-long performance and succeeds. The combination of abstract and narrative dance gives dancers the opportunity to show their versatile skills.
Arja Raatikainen has the ability to look and understand and the ability to shape it into the service of her own art. Finely paced and maintaining its tension at all times, Tunneli tells the story of an excellent dancer who is capable of crystal-clear, intelligent attention without forgetting warm humour. The work jumps uninhibitedly from the tragic to the comic, from scolding to friendship, from hate to love, from boasting to tenderness.
The use of speech, familiar from Raatikainen’s earlier works, creeps in at times almost unnoticed. Words turn into movements and movements into words. Ville Sormunen’s monologue of a happy man, with its blissful smiles and reassurances, is a glorious parody of professionals who boost self-esteem.
A completely different atmosphere is taken in the dialogue between Sofia Hill and Janne Marja-aho. The text is a scene from August Strindberg’s Dream Play. Rigid bows, moans and machine-like attempts at rapprochement are a suitably comic contrast to the harrowing content of the text.

The unity of visualization and movement
Tülay Schakir, who received the State Prize for the Arts this year, has made fine visualisations for Raatikainen’s works before. This time, I’m especially delighted by his ability to start from movement, its direction and energy. Red lights aimed at the feet highlight aggressive steps and pedaling. The war is approaching, and the red-blazing background together with Juha Tuisku’s sound material is a shocking experience.
The transformation of the entire background and floor into a small-screened and spotted computer screen sends a clear message to the audience about people under the pressure of demands.

Full of clever scenes
The tunnel is full of scenes that you immediately want to see again. The softly moving love duet of Kaisa Torkkeli and Unto Nuora proceeds in blue lights and with Puccini’s music playing emotionlessly, but genuinely emotional.
Tove Wingren, who is responsible for the delicate moment in the first scene of the performance, sings Nino Rota’s delightful Tie beautifully. Once again, Raatikainen’s sense of style works. The dance group, isolated in another space with the help of lights, prevents the atmosphere from becoming too sweet.
The moods of the tunnel change quickly, but they are memorable. Raatikainen’s choreography has been thought through to the end. Each dancer has mastered their stuff and is strongly present. Tearfully sensitive, hilariously funny and incredibly intelligent, The Tunnel is an Experience!