Review: Asmodeus ja 1313 sielua

The demon’s soul-gathering journey makes people laugh at the Helsinki City Theatre

The mischievous demon charms and takes souls and at the same time reveals something essential about people in Juha Hurme’s comedic play.

The talented Runar Schildt , who has lived a short life and tragically ended up committing suicide, now gets the attention he deserves on the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre in Juha Hurme’s dramatisation and direction. Asmodeus and 1313 Souls is a combination of Schildt’s short story Asmodeus och de tretton själarna in the first half and Hurme’s manuscript based on Schildt’s Asmodeus theme in the second half.

The demon king Asmodeus makes a bet with the Marshal of Hell that he can buy 13 souls in 1913 Helsinki in three days. It soon becomes apparent that people are so controlled by their desires and obsessions that all they have to do is ask for the surrender of the soul.

In the second half, the premise hits closer in a dark way. In 2026, Helsinki has already been submerged and the capital has been moved to Lahti, where hats and caps fight under the gaze of President Laura Huhtasaari. The trail, which is tired from the last remnants of snow, is monitored by mercenaries and everything is for sale, starting with names. Now people laugh at people’s addiction to mobile phones and their lust for money and power.

As a result of the new move, Asmodeus has to bring 1300 souls to Hell in the middle of all this, which seems impossible. However, there are no limits to man’s gullibility and even stupidity.

Juha Hurme’s unfailing use of words and quick humour charm once again. He perceptively summarises the picture of the times and picks out the ridiculous and painful features of people and society. No wonder the text garnered applause from the premiere audience in the middle of the performance.

In skilled hands, even Hell’s Sulphur Lake can be humored. The performance progresses playfully from opera to Eurovision, and the comedy mixes with humanity’s common concerns about the division into two to climate change.

Vappu Nalbantoglu , who moves with the energy of the Duracell bunny, is absolutely unbeatable as Asmodeus, down to his expressions and gestures, and seems to enjoy the role of a playful charming demon himself. Another good ensemble is Unto Nuora, whose money-hungry lawyer is at home in Hell.

The music of Piia Komsi and Ville Herrala paces the performance, and soprano Komsi’s voice adds a wonderful touch of colour to the scenes.