Review: Rakastunut Shakespeare

In the theatre: Shakespeare in love

This week’s second premiere was Shakespeare in Love, performed by the Helsinki City Theatre. A play that I didn’t have any expectations for, but which I thought would be nice to see. After all, it is a work whose film version won no less than seven Oscars at the time. Well, now of course I admit that I haven’t seen the film, and that’s why I didn’t have those expectations for the play. I don’t even know if the movie has been shown on TV. Personally, I like to go to the cinema to see the movies. It has its own feeling. But back to the topic. What did I like about the play? Wonderful, wonderful and wonderful and then a lot of hearts after that.

The events of the play take place in the late 1500s. William Shakespeare (Heikki Ranta) is short of money, and his married life is not as it should be. In addition, Shakespeare is plagued by a lack of inspiration. Nothing comes of writing at all. Something has to happen, and it does. Shakespeare meets the lovely Viola de Lesseps (Miila Virtanen), who in turn is a staunch admirer of Shakespeare’s production. In addition, Viola is eager to get on the stage of the theatre to perform. The smell of scandal in the air. Women do not act in England during the time of Queen Elizabeth I (Helena Haaranen). There is something else in the air very quickly. Infatuation, falling in love and love.

Now you can’t avoid the syrup, but Heikki Ranta and Miila Virtanen are a sweet couple as Shakespeare and Viola. The couple plays well together and sometimes it really feels like maybe everything is not just a play. Virtanen’s eyes, in particular, shine in just the right places. A person in love is beautiful, and Virtanen brings this out well on stage. I also admired how Ranta manages to change the mode of a desperate man into a playwright who churns out text and story in an instant.

Shakespeare in Love is a huge production, and there are many actors on stage. One that I definitely want to highlight is Heidi Herala, who plays the role of a breastfeeding mother and Viola’s servant. Herala is like her own mother to Viola. Always worried, because revolutionary things are happening in Viola’s life. Herala’s performance is very believable, although there are sometimes comic features. Jari Pehkonen will be seen as Henslowe, the owner of the Rose Theatre. Really, how can this man always do a role that looks like him? What about Jouko Klemettilä? Ralph, an actor at the Rose Theatre, whose sheer appearance on stage makes you laugh. Funny. The role of street boy John Webster is played by two different actors. At the premiere, it was Luca Elshout’s turn. I’d be surprised if we didn’t hear more about the boy later. The boy is really skilled and has thrown himself into his role to the fullest. The role of the dog also includes alternation. At the premiere, viewers were delighted by Heppu.

I liked how Shakespeare in Love presents one alternative to how Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet would have been born. The play itself is a love story fueled by tragedy. However, there is also humour in the play. You can and should laugh. The clothing also made me laugh at some of the things, although in reality the costumes in the play are really wonderful to watch. It must have been a construction site that all the costumes and accessories for the play have been conjured up. Incredibly cool suits. As a detail, at the ball held at the court of Queen Elizabeth I, the women’s wigs were really excellent. And yes, the picture of Elisabeth I in Wikipedia is like straight out of a play. And the crown that went in the shape of a wig was absolutely top. Even though the play as a whole is great, I liked the second act of the performance better. It was as if the play had taken off again after the intermission.

Shakespeare in love has required a lot of work. In my opinion, Kari Arffman, who directed the play, has managed to put the pieces in place nicely together with the rest of the working group. Jyrki Karttunen has been responsible for the choreography of the performance, and I can assure you that there is no lack of movement and life on stage. I already mentioned the costumes, and the woman who has been responsible for this magnificence is Elina Kolehmainen. Jaana Nykänen also deserves thanks for the camouflages and hairstyles. When talking about this play, one cannot fail to mention the massive set design, which in itself is worth seeing. Thanks go to Katariina Kirjavainen.

If you don’t go to the theatre very much, Shakespeare in Love might suit you. The play has a story that carries you and keeps you interested until the end. At the same time, you can admire the performing arts at their best.