Review: Mörköooppera

The Groke went into a circle to the beat of disco music

The Helsinki City Theatre knows which strings to pull: adapting The Groke Opera, completed in 1980, to the stage is a brilliant idea. Most parents of young children remember music from their own childhood. At least everyone knows the song Groke it went to the circle by now.

In other words, the play strikes with a longing for the past, but it is an excellent work in every way.

The appearance of the Tirriäinens, who already speak fairytale language, on stage draws the audience into silence. When the small and frightening Groke, who lives with them, enters the stage and the stage poem starts rolling, the audience is sold. Sanna Majuri, who plays the Groke, has a deep and beautiful singing voice.

The Groke Opera tells the story of Mörö’s trip to people, first to Oulu and then to Helsinki, and finally his return back to the fairytale land of Mökkyrä.

Even though the music is already familiar, it is good to hear all the songs one after the other. The ingenious lyrics of Marjatta Pokela (1925–2002), who composed and wrote the music, only come to mind when you see the events on stage: a park aunt really belongs to a completely different professional group than a park uncle.

The narrator’s voice is rarely heard from behind the scenes, but mostly the songs move the performance forward.

The arrangement and performance of the music are by Lauri Schreck, and they are brilliant work. A one-man orchestra lives on the edge of the stage in a giant apple, dressed as the Music Worm. Put on your electronic music background and pick up one of the instruments hanging on the wall – and lo and behold, the atmosphere immediately rises to the ceiling and the action is hilarious, like in a student disco.

Sometimes, however, it would be refreshing to see a children’s play without fart humour at all. Even though the fart that Mörö escaped in the parliament is a central part of the plot and that it elicits a huge burst of laughter from the audience, both children and adults.

The Groke Opera on the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre until 29 September. The performance is recommended for children over 4 years of age.