Finland's National Theatre 19741991

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.

Autorentext

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

Klappentext

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.

Inhalt

1. 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

2. 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

3. Experiencing, conveying, and interpreting The Finnish National Theatre and the Finnish press

   The National Theatre and the general public

4. The creators of the artistic direction Th actors' theatre

   The productions' artistic backgrounds

   Artistic forays over the border

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Finnish history without a nationalist slant Historical characters from across the decades

   War history and contemporary politics on-stage

9. Significant literary works as national interpretations Shakespeare as a contemporary mirror

   The cultural heritage of Continental Europe

   Old Russian drama

10. 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

11. New Eastern European drama Rarities from the Soviet Union

    From metaphor to commentary-style

    Estonian history

12. 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

13. Social upheaval on the national stage Pacifism in its different modes

    Generational rebellion on-stage

    The environment threats

14. 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

15. The advent of the small and the young The opening of the Omapohja studio performance space

    A new generation of playwrights

16. 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

17. 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

18. Sources and Bibliography Index