Finland's National Theatre 1974-1991

This study analyses the Finnish National Theatre's activities throughout the decades during which the post-war generation with its new societal and theatrical views was rising to power, and during which Europe, divided by the Iron Curtain, was maturing to break the boundaries dividing it. Pirkko Koski summarizes the activities of the Finnish National Theatre as a cultural factor and as a part of the Finnish theatre field during 1970s and 1980s. Alongside this he examines the general requirements, resources and structures for activity, including artists, places, geographical position, performances and the analysis on the societal conditions. This book will be of great interest to scholars and students of European theatre and history.

Pirkko Koski is Professor emeritus in the Department of Philosophy, History and Art Studies at the University of Helsinki.

- Introduction The Finnish National Theatre: tradition and turbulent time National stature and the fulfilling the national mission Researching theatre history Approaching the past: sources The Finnish National Theatre during a time of rupture: contents Part I Operational frames - The Finnish National Theatre and the changing field of theatre New artistic direction(s) Private, national, and societal pressures The National Theatre and its national operations Caught between East and West - Experiencing, conveying, and interpreting The Finnish National Theatre and the Finnish press The National Theatre and the general public - The creators of the artistic direction Th actors' theatre The productions' artistic backgrounds Artistic forays over the border - A national landmark renewed and replenished National Main Stage From modern architecture to spatial exploration A functioning family Part II Programming, performances, and the national agenda - The National mission driving the National Theatre's programming Chasing diversity and artistic merit Debates about the development of domestic Finnish drama Crossing the border between high and low art - High and low in the context of the domestic repertoire The challenges of updating traditional classics The Finnish people on stage The Finland of poets - Finnish history without a nationalist slant Historical characters from across the decades War history and contemporary politics on-stage - Significant literary works as national interpretations Shakespeare as a contemporary mirror The cultural heritage of Continental Europe Old Russian drama - Modern dramatic classics A generation of masters Anglo-American relationship drama Social documentary from behind the Iron Curtain Modern drama from the Continent The return to absurdist roots - New Eastern European drama Rarities from the Soviet Union From metaphor to commentary-style Estonian history - New plays from the West Trying to fill the Main Stage auditorium Relationships and cultural caricatures Dramatic and stage celebrity Global victims: abuses of power Historic moments of stardom - Social upheaval on the national stage Pacifism in its different modes Generational rebellion on-stage The environment threats - Popular and commercial elements and Ntaional Theatre press debates From classic farce to folk theatre An operetta causes a scandal Criticism and crisis at the centre of public attention - The advent of the small and the young The opening of the Omapohja studio performance space A new generation of playwrights - Theatre company visits from the East and the West Gorki Theatare, Taganka, and other Eastern European triumphs The return of the Estonia-connection British theatrical culture Western diversity and Far East traditions The Finnish National Theatre travels - To conclude: The National Theatre during a time of transition Changing times and the National Theatre's policy The international Finnish National Theatre National drama, national character, and collective memory - Sources and Bibliography Index