Finland's National Theatre 1974–1991

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

• IntroductionThe Finnish National Theatre: tradition and turbulent timeNational stature and the fulfilling the national missionResearching theatre historyApproaching the past: sourcesThe Finnish National Theatre during a time of rupture: contentsPart I Operational frames The Finnish National Theatre and the changing field of theatreNew artistic direction(s)Private, national, and societal pressuresThe National Theatre and its national operationsCaught between East and West Experiencing, conveying, and interpretingThe Finnish National Theatre and the Finnish pressThe National Theatre and the general public The creators of the artistic directionTh actors’ theatreThe productions’ artistic backgroundsArtistic forays over the border A national landmark renewed and replenishedNational Main StageFrom modern architecture to spatial explorationA functioning familyPart II Programming, performances, and the national agenda The National mission driving the National Theatre’s programmingChasing diversity and artistic meritDebates about the development of domestic Finnish dramaCrossing the border between high and low art High and low in the context of the domestic repertoireThe challenges of updating traditional classicsThe Finnish people on stageThe Finland of poets Finnish history without a nationalist slantHistorical characters from across the decadesWar history and contemporary politics on-stage Significant literary works as national interpretationsShakespeare as a contemporary mirrorThe cultural heritage of Continental EuropeOld Russian drama Modern dramatic classicsA generation of mastersAnglo-American relationship dramaSocial documentary from behind the Iron CurtainModern drama from the ContinentThe return to absurdist roots New Eastern European dramaRarities from the Soviet UnionFrom metaphor to commentary-styleEstonian history New plays from the WestTrying to fill the Main Stage auditoriumRelationships and cultural caricaturesDramatic and stage celebrityGlobal victims: abuses of powerHistoric moments of stardom Social upheaval on the national stagePacifism in its different modesGenerational rebellion on-stageThe environment threats Popular and commercial elements and Ntaional Theatre press debatesFrom classic farce to folk theatreAn operetta causes a scandalCriticism and crisis at the centre of public attention The advent of the small and the youngThe opening of the Omapohja studio performance spaceA new generation of playwrights Theatre company visits from the East and the WestGorki Theatare, Taganka, and other Eastern European triumphsThe return of the Estonia-connectionBritish theatrical cultureWestern diversity and Far East traditionsThe Finnish National Theatre travels To conclude: The National Theatre during a time of transitionChanging times and the National Theatre’s policyThe international Finnish National TheatreNational drama, national character, and collective memory Sources and BibliographyIndex