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Note: No longer in repertoire!
Cast: Pauliina Kiuru, Hanna Kaila, Antti Timonen, Sami Hokkanen
Piano: Jukka Nykänen
Translation: Hannu Leivo
Control: Milko Lehto
Set and costumes: Juhani W. Rytkölä
Lights: Teppo Saarinen
Sound: Ari-Pekka Saarikko
THE BAR IS FAR EXCEEDEDStudio Pasila in Helsinki has an intimate atmosphere when the autumn novelty, Rima kauhua kärleksta (Horror of Love), composed by David Shire, strikes the autumn longing with the power of skilfully executed music. There is no coherent story in the performance, but episode after episode carries a downright show. At times, there is serious relationship drama, but soon playful and cat-like seduction creeps onto the scene. According to director Milko Lehto , few processes have been as fun and pleasant as in Rimakauhu. The Helsinki City Theatre’s experiment thus became an autumn stimulus for skilled actors-singers. The performance, consisting of 21 songs, moves forward without joints, as the quartet Hanna Kaila, Katja Kiuru, Sami Hokkanen and Antti Timonen charmingly grasp the rhythms. Hannu Leivo’s Finnish translations of Richard Maltby’s texts are functional. One of the gems will be Sai, performed by bassist Hanna Kaila . Inevitably, this musical will give rise to the idea of a so-called Christmas party play, but even beyond lightness and some vulgarity, it is worth supporting this ensemble, whose musical education is included and the flexibility of acting is visible. Timonen and Hokkanen are graduates of the music programme at the Theatre Academy, Pauliina Kiuru has also studied at the Sibelius Academy, and Hanna Kaila has studied to become a singing teacher.
Read moreCAPTIVATING MUSICAL THEATRE ABOUT THE INTOXICATION AND PAIN OF LOVE Without any major expectations, it is sometimes easy for a theatre-goer who does not load into their mind, but who often has reservations about musicals, to smile. There is a big positive surprise to be seen, a gem hidden in a local coffin. This is what happened to me with Studio Pasila’s performance Horror in Love. The bright side of the profession. Still, it should be noted at the outset that the potpourri of twenty thematically intertwined songs, written by Richard Maltby Jr . and composed by David Shire , has been splashed with an absurd name, apparently built on the basis of “TV familiar”. That is also misleading, because this story has nothing to do with the popular relationship series Love and Horror. The original title is the ambiguous Closer Than Ever and its direct translation Closer Than Ever would have fit the content well. I guess it just wasn’t selling enough. That’s it, the name doesn’t make the theatre experience worse when there is an intact performance made with skill, heart and sincere enthusiasm behind it.
Read moreHORROR IN LOVE BUT NOT IN INTERPRETATIONCarelessly groomed. That could be one of the attributes of the Pasila studio’s show musical Rimakauhua kärlekssa. The expression is strongly positive, as under the direction of Milko Lehto , the performance feels relaxed but precise. It demands vocally, requires dance, picks up the comedy carefully but does not believe in the forced fun.Both in terms of crew and duration, the show musical in question – originally made in the USA – feels just right for Pasila. Love’s spaghetti dish is tasty but not too hearty. And the target group becomes broad when it includes people in their thirties and middle-aged as well as novices and seniors.The story is conveyed in songs, which allow a lot of leeway for interpretation and the personal vocal range of each soloist. The melodies themselves are emotions of their own, and the lyrics and clear articulation ensure that the narrative is complemented and speaks to us. As excellent as the musician duo is, they stay either in the background or alongside them during solos; The resulting cooperation is “instrumental” throughout; An alert player next to him gives him more kick.
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