Review: Peter Pan
Shed Music Theatre’s Peter Pan performance brings a good Christmas spirit
A few minutes had passed since the Peter Pan play, the first scene when I dug a handkerchief out of my handbag. Peter Pan hadn’t even been seen yet, but the stage was full of children whose eyes were shining with excitement. They conveyed such joy of creation and theatre that you have to have quite a wooden heart if you didn’t move while watching them.
It was not just any theatre group, but a Shed musical theatre for children and young people aged 10-19. The group is assembled every spring and the goal is to practice theatre making, singing, dancing and acting together with the professionals of the Helsinki City Theatre. The season will culminate in a Christmas musical, the premiere of which will be celebrated at Studio Pasila. This year it was the turn of the modernized Peter Pan, in 2021 I saw the Christmas of the Miser.
The Shed theatre model originated in London more than 50 years ago. The vision of the unique theatre was to celebrate diversity and give courage and self-esteem to children and young people, regardless of their background. The diversity of the theatre proved to be its strength, and the activities grew at a rapid pace with the help of donations. Princess Diana was a prominent supporter of the theatre.
The Shed musical theatre was brought to Finland by Riikka Kangas, CEO of Food Camp Finland. In 2017, the Shed Foundation was established, with Elisa as a significant financier. Since then, Shed has collaborated with the Helsinki City Theatre.
The children and young people involved vary in their skill levels, but their enthusiasm and joy of doing things together melt hearts. As segregation in society increases, Shed’s mission is to provide a safe environment for all children and young people interested in theatre. The group was diverse in many ways, which is certainly very enriching for all parties.
Peter Pan doesn’t want to work in an office
Peter Pan’s story is familiar. A boy created by J.M. Barrie who didn’t want to grow up, who leads the three children of the Golden family with him by flying to Neverland. There is a danger of Captain Hook, who holds a grudge against Peter Pan for the loss of his arm.
The musical is shown to viewers of different ages from different angles. Captain Hook may be amusing or scary. In the auditorium, it was funny when Koukku from the stage asked “Can you hear me?” and a small voice from the audience replied “Yes!”. Magic dust was in the air. We were also eager to participate in the interactive sections and, for example, clapped more fairy dust into the world.
To sum up Peter Pan’s story, you could say that everyone misses a mother and a gentle hug. The basic security that is not self-evident for all children. In the play, the subject is dealt with gently. The father only thinks about money, the mother tells bedtime stories. But both the missing children led by Peter Pan and the pirates of Hook want a mother or at least someone to cook.
A charming, enthusiastic ensemble
This year, there are 76 children in the Shed production. That would already be quite a group of actors on stage, so Peter Pan is played with a double crew. We were there to see the premiere on 2.12.
Peter Pan was played by Hertta Viksten. He was a wonderfully different Peter Pan than I’ve seen before. She pulled off her role confidently and believably, as did her shadow Iiris Toivanen. In Shedi’s version, the fairy Tinker Bell was called Kilinä, and oh my goodness, what a stubborn jingle Riku Suorela made without a word!
Captain Hook was professional actress Helena Haaranen. He was well suited to play the role of a self-centered captain in the company of young people. The script differed from the usual in that Tiger Lily (Unna Korhonen) was actually a detective and the crocodile who wanted to catch Hook was a combo of two private detectives, Krok (Kamilla Käki) and Dilli (Sisu Heikkilä).
The children of the Kultanen family, especially Veeti (Oiva Ollila), played a big role and contributed to the smooth progress of the play. Director and choreographer Jyri Numminen has done a strong job of getting such a large number of children and young people to work together so smoothly. To my eyes, everything progressed as it should. Theatre that feels very ready already at the premiere! The mother of the Kultanen family (Amelie Lindholm) was a stable adult and the father (Viiru Kolehmainen) was quite unstable. Veet’s (originally Wendy) sisters – Mikaela (Lilja Nurmo) and Jonna (Emma Räsänen) – had the energy to cope with any situation.
12-year-old Emma Räsänen had been interviewed for the programme. In it, he said, “Shed has taught empathy and consideration for others. For example, if someone forgets their line or is sad for some reason, you can help the other person.” I wonder what kind of experience this project is for these children, what it’s like to be in such a community that takes others into account. I guess that’s the most important thing here and will probably carry you far in life.
There were so many pirates and missing children on the scene that I will only list their names here. Great work across the board. Everyone sang and danced enthusiastically, and many had a proper speaking role. Unfortunately, I don’t know which pirate was who, so kudos to everyone, especially the one who put Hook in check in the final stages of the play.
Peter Pan of Shed Music Theatre tuned the Christmas spirit thanks to his initial idea and the children’s enthusiastic and dedicated stage work. The magnificent Shed, whose work is protected by President Tarja Halonen and the spouse of the President of the Republic Suzanne Innes-Stubb, who were in the stands. In their acceptance speeches, Veli-Matti Mattila from the Shed Foundation and theatre director Kari Arffman spoke beautifully for community, equality and culture. The most moving speech of thanks was given by the representative of the Shed in England, who emphasized how everyone can find creativity and joy in a safe and supportive environment.
In addition to those mentioned above, the premiere on 2 December included on stage: Elsie Vine, Peppi Sarpakunnas, Benjamin Peltola, Hilda Niemi, Henni Palsala, Kaisla Juuti, Opri Härkönen, Seela Helander, Janne Diemb, Jade Aitta-aho, Hulda Heiskanen, Lempi Härmä, Otso Härmä, Aurora Iles, Krista Immonen, Amanda Johansson, Telma Nurmi, Ronja Peippo, Hermiina Syväniemi, Iiris Toivonen, Cherié Anderson, Lililan Backman, Tyler Hakala, Nicolas Huovinen, Pisara Härkönen, Tuomas Kruut, Alex Lehtonen, Amelie Lindholm, Frida Mansikka, Daniela Motinga and Alina Vanninen.
Shed’s friend from England praised Tuomas Kesälä, the conductor of the performance and arranged the music, and threatened to take him with him to London. The rest of the planning team and the background team can be found on HKT’s website.
It should also be mentioned that the graffiti in the background of the stage had been painted by Paavo Arhinmäki, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Leisure of Helsinki.
Read the review with pictures here.