Review: Omaka par

Night and day together

The Finnish-Swedish theatre audience does not secretly laugh.

As soon as Lilla teatern’s comedy Omaka par begins, it becomes clear what the biggest difference is between Finnish-speaking and Finland-Swedish theatre audiences. While the former often just smiles contentedly, the latter dares to laugh, snort and squirm so loudly that the others are sure to hear as well. Or is Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple , which was also a success on the big screen, just so hysterically good? Either way, Lilla Teatern’s version is a prime example of what comedy can be at its best.

From the very first meters, the viewer begins to fall in love with the members of the group of friends playing poker one after the other. One of them rings the clock to make sure he gets home by the curfew’s curfew. The second is a hygiene freak, the third is a bit of a foolish policeman, and the fourth is annoyed by everything possible. Oscar Madison’s (Sampo Sarkola) large apartment has fallen into a pig-like condition after his wife left her husband, who is addicted to alcohol. But what must have happened when the ever-so-meticulous Felix Ungar (Pekka Strang) is not seen or heard?

Oscar lends his friend a helping hand, but the bachelors’ life together turns out to be something completely different from what they thought – after all, they are like night and day. If you know even a little bit of Swedish, it is worth seeing this play for a Finnish speaker as well – and laughing along loud.

The Finnish-Swedish theatre audience does not secretly laugh.

As soon as Lilla teatern’s comedy Omaka par begins, it becomes clear what the biggest difference is between Finnish-speaking and Finland-Swedish theatre audiences. While the former often just smiles contentedly, the latter dares to laugh, snort and squirm so loudly that the others are sure to hear as well. Or is Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple , which was also a success on the big screen, just so hysterically good? Either way, Lilla Teatern’s version is a prime example of what comedy can be at its best.

From the very first meters, the viewer begins to fall in love with the members of the group of friends playing poker one after the other. One of them rings the clock to make sure he gets home by the curfew’s curfew. The second is a hygiene freak, the third is a bit of a foolish policeman, and the fourth is annoyed by everything possible. Oscar Madison’s (Sampo Sarkola) large apartment has fallen into a pig-like condition after his wife left her husband, who is addicted to alcohol. But what must have happened when the ever-so-meticulous Felix Ungar (Pekka Strang) is not seen or heard?

Oscar lends his friend a helping hand, but the bachelors’ life together turns out to be something completely different from what they thought – after all, they are like night and day. If you know even a little bit of Swedish, it is worth seeing this play for a Finnish speaker as well – and laughing along loud.