Review: Keijukaisneuvos Koo

Today during the day, I went to see Fairy Counsellor Koo, which has returned to the Helsinki City Theatre’s repertoire. It is a delightful children’s performance prepared by the theatre’s dance group Helsinki Dance Company, a dance adventure for the whole family. The script funnily said that the show is recommended for everyone over the age of 5 – and I really think everyone over the age of 5 should go see it and choose their favorite day of the week among fairies, elves and fauns!

Fairy Counsellor Koo is written by Jyrki Karttunen and the choreography is also his. The councillor, who looks like a silly scientist, goes through the meaning of the week and time with the audience. Every day is different and each day has its own fairy or other spirit creature and its own story. Monday will be difficult to get out of bed for a new week, while Tuesday will be angry and confusing – and Saturday would like to enjoy benefits and be in every possible in-between.

Personally, I especially remember the music of Tuomas Fränti and Karoliina Koiso-Kanttila’s costumes. The children’s comments and empathy with the fairy tale also manage to amaze and make us laugh every time. Even now, someone from the lower corner of the stage shouted with great fury to the paper-eating Saturday: “Don’t eat those leaves! Don’t! Don’t eat those leaves!” Could someone also make a performance for adults that could be commented on from the stands?

Keijukaisneuvos Koo is definitely the best children’s theatre available in the Helsinki metropolitan area at the moment. The performance is on the programme until 5 December, and you can also visit the Fairy Tale Stage exhibition at Stoa.

Oh, and my favorite day was definitely Thursday!