Review: Kolmen kimppa
HKT’s Threesome is a witty comedy about love and friendship The French play running at Studio Pasila tells the story of the coexistence of three very different characters. The cast includes Elina Hietala, Jarkko Niemi and Olli Rahkonen.
The name Threesome certainly evokes a lot of images in modern people. It can be assumed that there is, for example, a raunchy narrative about three people’s sexual experiments – or alternatively, a story about a central polyamorous union of more than two people. However, French playwright Clément Michel’s Threesome is something completely different – namely a story about relationships and how sometimes it’s just best to take a friend home to live so that the spouse gets frustrated and realizes to leave.
Wait a minute. After all, this threesome is not the most ordinary one!
In the play, the intellectual Pauli (Jarkko Niemi), who makes sarcastic comments, is tired of his relationship, but does not want to be the egotistical jerk who leaves. Martin (Olli Rahkonen), who is less of a drinker than his friend, tries to give instructions on how to do things as elegantly as possible. Unfortunately, however, the rehearsed resignation speeches do not strike Paul, who comes up with a better idea for his resignation.
Sofia (Elina Hietala), who is still in love, knows nothing about Paul’s plans, but soon has to live in a commune with two friends. No woman would want to watch that kind of hustle for very long – right?
The threesome made an impression on me – and my common-law wife. The nasty quips performed by the cap-wearing Niemi fit perfectly into the modern age, while Rahkonen does an excellent job of pulling out his role as a good-natured fool who emerges into new layers when the going gets tough. As a funny anecdote, it should be mentioned that Rahkonen’s character, mannerisms and even his voice and appearance reminded me of Aku Hirviniemi at times.
Hietala, who is a burden on her boyfriend, will by no means remain a neutral acquaintance. He does his job well as a guy whose sheer serenity and empathy evoke just the right kind of feelings. Sofia is such a lovely guy that it’s even a bit annoying.
There are plenty of twists and turns and insights in the threesome. At no point is the viewer too bothered by the “I know how this ends” feeling that is often associated with such plays. There is plenty of excitement and guesswork all the way to the final climax.
If you are interested in relationships and skillfully performed theatrical entertainment, tickets to the Threesome will surely sell. At the same time, the laughs offered by this play are a nice remedy for the gloom of autumn.