Review: Rakastunut Shakespeare
What does Shakespeare fall in love with under the grey sky of Helsinki?
When I talked to Kari Arffman, the director of the Helsinki City Theatre, before the turn of the year, he said a piece of wisdom: “What improves the quality of life better than theatre, all the experiences gained from theatre.”
The claim came true yesterday when Arffman’s play Shakespeare in Love premiered on the big stage of the City Theatre. The story, which is familiar to many as a seven-Oscar film, is an arousing fantasy of what might have happened in reality. The play takes your mind off the long and dark weather tunnel – like a mine – where people have been hunched over the capital region for almost six months.
Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard have written the original screenplay, the stage adaptation is by Lee Hall. The story takes place in London in 1593. Struggling with a lack of money and inspiration, William Shakespeare tries to write a new play and meets the beautiful Lady Viola in an audition. He comes to the performance dressed as a man, because in Shakespeare’s England, women were not allowed to act.
The audition begins a passionate love story and rehearsal for the play Romeo and Juliet.
As a director, Kari Arffman shows his love for genuine theatre play. Shakespeare in Love is a charming and light-hearted interpretation, entertaining theatre at its best. Arffman conducts his ensemble like a conductor leads his orchestra, with joy and love. Surprisingly, the story also brought tears to my eyes at the end.
The main roles are played by young actors Heikki Ranta (who was also excellent in the title role of the musical Kirka) and Miila Virtanen are a breath of fresh air on stage, like a spring breeze in the midst of veteran actors.
The regular actors of the City Theatre (Risto Kaskilahti, Rauno Ahonen, Jari Pehkonen, Jouko Klemettilä, among others) in Shakespeare’s theatre troupe are allowed to type correctly with permission and use all their comedic means. Petrus Kähkönen once again shows his talent as one of London’s theatre owners – he has no mannerisms at all! Heidi Herala does not disappoint in her role as Lady Viola’s breastfeeder. The talented actor knows how to take over the stage even in small scenes.
Many of the City Theatre’s musicals have featured fine costumes, but now the costumes are gorgeous. It was written by Elina Kolehmainen. Catherine Kirjavainen’s set design brings the viewer to the dimly lit little London theatres, taverns and even the court of Queen Elizabeth I (the strong-handed Helena Haaranen). The set design is complemented by lighting by Petteri Heiskanen.
Shakespeare fell in love with the play, I fell in love with the play.