Review: Ei kertonut katuvansa
Ei kerto regret also works as a play The play, based on Tommi Kinnunen’s book Ei kertonut katunsa, premiered on the big stage of the Helsinki City Theatre. When a best-selling book is turned into a play, there is always a little excitement about how it has succeeded. The Helsinki City Theatre was a great success.
When the Helsinki City Theatre organised an event before Christmas to go through the spring programme, we received a video greeting from Tommi Kinnunen. He had been confused when the City Theatre had contacted him and asked for permission to make a play out of the book Ei kertonut regrett. Tommi Kinnunen had said: “How can it become a play when you just walk in it? Fortunately, the Helsinki City Theatre has the largest revolving stage in the Nordic countries. That’s what you can do in this play.”
After seeing the play, I can say: that book made a play. I read the book as soon as it was published. The story of the book – or actually the stories of five women – made a big impression on me.
The play, dramatised and directed by Susanna Airaksinen, is faithful to the text of the book. That’s a good thing. The performance, which lasted just over 2.5 hours, held its grip very well, it was intact and the interpretations were credibly strong.
Focus on the story
The story tells the stories of five women: Irene (Heidi Herala), Veera (Ursula Salo), Aili (Aino Seppo), Katri (Lumi Aunio) and Siiri (Seidi Haarla). They had all gone to serve the Nazis in Norway – some for what reason. One was a nurse, another in the canteen, a third doing laundry, etc.
When Germany surrendered, women who had gone to Norway to serve for the Nazis were taken into custody in Hanko. The five women in the play managed to escape before they were transported to Finland. That is the beginning of a long and arduous walk towards Rovaniemi.
For the main actors, the play is certainly quite an achievement, because they are on stage all the time. All of their interpretations of the characters are strong and present. It is a pleasure to follow the work of professionals, how well they empathize with their roles. The characters in the book come to life on stage.
The performers of all five key roles were credible. Heidi Herala’s Irene is a touching person who goes her own way. Ursula Salo’s strong interpretation of Veera makes an impression. As Aino Seppo’s drug-addicted Aili, it feels so tragic. After the performance, I was left wondering what happened to him.
The set design of the play is by Vilma Mattila. The set design is simple, but it works nicely, giving space to the story and the characters without taking too much attention. The burnt Rovaniemi had been created with simple skill. They had been able to make use of the space of the big stage. The stage changed from a wilderness to a river and Rovaniemi with ease.
Heikki Paasonen’s lighting design and Toni Haaranen’s projections were impressive. The giant moon created an atmosphere.
At first, I had doubts about how live music would fit into the play, but it worked very well, flowing and pacing the story.
All in all, a great whole. I highly recommend it.