Review: Huonosti vartioitu tyttö

Badly Guarded Girl / Helsinki Dance Company & Helsinki City Theatre

Choreographer Jyrki Karttunen really knows his job. Once again, the man has struck his hand into the gold bucket and is scooping up treasures for us lucky viewers to admire. I think I’ve already said this many times, but I’ll say it again: the man is a genius! And when these dance pieces by Helsinki Dance Company are still so funny, mischievous and even absurdly silly! There’s always some little trick or trick that entertains. Both younger and older viewers. Her latest work, The Badly Guarded Girl, premiered at the beginning of October at the Helsinki City Theatre, and aroused a lot of joy and ecstasy, at least in this viewer.

The dance performance is based on an old classic ballet from the 1700s, La Fille mal gardée, which is still part of the ballet repertoire of many houses. A few years ago (in the spring of 2015) I saw a Royal Ballet version of this, with Steven McRae and Natalia Osipova dancing in the lead roles. I haven’t remembered much of the story itself, but the memory is a humorous and colorful presentation (this is also available on DVD, so you might find it in libraries).

Well, that’s what this modern version of Karttunen’s Poorly Guarded Girl was. However, there is not much left of the original work, perhaps only some core idea or spirit of the work, and the main character. She is a lonely girl/woman, this time in an American-style deserted 1950s gas station. Perhaps dreaming of getting out and leaving. The girl is kept company, and in some way guarded, by four unicorns. You know, such lovely, pastel-colored, sweetly fluffy imaginary creatures. Or historical fantasy creatures. Or something. Now performed by four fine male dancers, even though those pastel fluffies were quite genderless. The magnificent Mikko Paloniemi, Jyrki Kasper, Johannes Purovaara and Jyrki Karttunen fooled themselves straight into the hearts of the viewers. All kinds of more traditional ballet patterns and horse-like galloping steps went equally well. And the song too – We are unicorns is a guaranteed hit for the autumn party.

But the undisputed main star of the performance was the phenomenal Heidi Naakka. A wonderful dancer in all respects, who got to play a big role and show all sides of her repertoire of skills. What an international-level redhead! In the usual sparkling costumes designed by Karoliina Koiso-Kanttila. While the unicorns are in the same tights throughout the show (well, sometimes wearing bikinis or teddy-haired rags), Naakka has time to change outfits many, many times. One dazzling creation after another. What a gold lamee catsuit! And I wonder again how anyone can dance with such high heels, but the professionals can! Of course, sometimes we go barefoot.

The music is not original either, except for a couple of quotes, but conjured up by Aleksi Saura. The music does sound great. And it’s really not completely mute, sometimes there’s singing and sometimes something else. And yes, it was good enough to dance on Jukka Huitila’s gas station sets and under lights.

The whole unicorn quartet dances nicely together and sometimes each gets their own little solo. Kasperi’s boyish solo and Paloniemi’s sleazy-like number. And this duet with Naakka, oouuu how hot! In addition, the unicorns throw the girl in any direction they want, absolutely breathtaking throws and swings. Phew! The performance is already close to circus acrobatics in these situations. At times, the woman hatches into a circus director and the unicorns transform into circus steeds with the help of ribbons. Great use of ribbons anyway; How can they not get knotted!

I was a little confused why all the unicorns were made up to look like Johnny Depp? Milja Mensonen was responsible for the fancy hairstyles and make-up.

Still, this is not just marshmallow-like soft and joyful. The electricity at the gas station starts to flicker and is a little scary. Is reality starting to raise its head and the unicorns of dreams are sinking into oblivion? Does the girl have to take the Yankee hose under her and leave the oppressive position behind? And at the same time, forget the unicorns that brought comfort and hope for a better life to the dreary everyday life? As a farewell gift, the girl is dressed in a rainbow-coloured dress and fluffy shoes! Did the mythical creatures who spoke with a Swedish accent fail in their guard duties – or did they make it possible for the girl to stay alive?

A lot of questions, and you can’t get answers to everything in just over an hour. Above all, The Poorly Guarded Girl is a wonderful break for the viewer from their own everyday life. This can really be recommended to everyone, especially to lovers of an innovative and beautiful dance piece. Joy and humor in life, until 28.11. on HKT’s Small Stage. A big thank you to the excellent working group, once again.