Review: Hotelli Paradiso

On the waves of farce

Theatre. The Hotel Paradiso by the Frenchman Georges Feaydeau is the nobility of farce. It has all the characteristics of the genre: misunderstandings, doors that open and close, and a final explanation. In this case, the scammers in the story will get away with that too.

Director Neil Hardwick writes in the play’s script that the farce has had certain elements since ancient plays, such as over-the-top caricature and obscenity. They can also be found at Hotel Paradiso.

The play, directed by Hardwick for the Helsinki City Theatre, features a cast familiar from many farces. It does a guaranteed but at the same time somewhat unsurprising job. Santeri Kinnunen, Jari Pehkonen and Risto Kaskilahti have been seen in many similar performances.

The star of the farce is Sanna-June Hyde, who plays the female lead. He is fresh, replies succinctly and is precise in his movements as required by a farce. Rauno Ahonen , who plays a small supporting role, is also strongly present in his role, and Sari Salmela’s period costumes reach their full glory in the costumes of the female actors.