Review: Metsä

The Secret of the Forest


Theatre like The Forest at the Helsinki City Theatre has not been seen in Finnish theatres for a long time.

Russian director legend Yuri Solomin knows the theatrical tradition of his home country and relies on the magic of Aleksandr N. Ostrovsky’s play The Forest without any extra magic tricks.

There is no need for unnecessary modernization, because human nature is the same now as it was in the 19th century: all kinds of greed, the pursuit of self-interest and games between people are innate in us.

The forest is a theatre of skilled actors. Especially the acting of Asko Sarkola, Esko Roine and Lasse Pöysti is enjoyable. Pertti Koivula and Kreeta Salminen are also convincing in their roles. Russian Aleksandr Glazunov has conjured up a magical set for the milieu of a country mansion and the surrounding forest.