Review: KRISITINA FRÅN DUVEMÅLA at Circus, Stockholm

KRISTINA FROM DUVEMÅLA (Kristina från Duvemåla) is a musical based on the four Emigrants novels by Swedish writer Vilhelm Moberg.

The show, which was a huge hit in Sweden and seen by over one million people, premiered in Malmö in 1995 and then played at the newly built Opera House and Circus Theatre in Stockholm. It returned to the stage last year in Gothenburg with the Finnish Maria Ylipää in the lead (WICKED, MISS SAIGON, EVITA).

Struggling to survive with multiple children, growing depts, failing crops, KRISTINA FROM DUVEMÅLA tells the story of the nearly starved Kristina (Maria Ylipää), her husband Karl-Oskar (Robert Noack) and his brother Robert (Oskar Nilsson) who must flee on a crowded boat full of migrants from the poverty and oppression in mid-19th century's Sweden, migrating to Minnesota, USA. But the "New Land" is not all bliss and roses. A devastated Kristina never grows to like America and lies awake at night, tormented by her longing for her parents and home country, and begs God to let her return home one day. Kristina is the perfect example of an unhappy immigrant.

The standout number, "Du Måste Finnas/You have to be there" which got a loud standing ovation, shows Kristina's desperation and despair for God to exist after losing her home, children and husband. She is now clinging to her faith by a thin thread and Maria Ylipää gave a heart breaking and powerful performance of the classic song originally sung by Helen Sjöholm.

"Here I am refugee and a stranger, and I do accept that as my fate. But You took my child and You are separating me from my husband. I can no longer see any meaning, what is it that you want , what should I believe?" - Kristina (Du Måste Finnas/ You Have To Be There)

The second-act highlight, "Gold Can Turn to Sand," also got the audience on their feet. It is sung by Karl-Oskar's brother Robert (Oskar Nilsson). Robert and his best friend Arvid left Minnesota, bound for the California Gold Rush, but Robert comes back several years later, empty-handed and alone. Kristina, Robert's sister-in-law, finds Arvid's watch among Robert's things and demands to know where he is. He tells her the story of how they went searching for gold, but ended up lost in the desert with a devastating solo.

We set off, yes, we missed what we'd forsaken. Once he begged and he cried: take me back. I never gave in to him, although I felt the same way. Oh Kristina, the gold turned into sand" - Robert (Guldet Blev Till Sand/Gold Can Turn To Sand)

So how does Björn and Benny's theatrical hit show stand up 20 years after its premiere?

I never saw the original 1995 production but I know the songs and book by heart so I think the story gives an honest portrayal of the life of our ancestors. The set is simple, yet stunning. The cast is sublime and the main characters really conveys the tragedy and helplessness of the situation to the audience through truthful acting and powerful song. The production itself was a testament to the outstanding talents of the actors, the director, the set designer and song writers. It's simply a classic musical masterpiece.

Yes, the show is long (Nearly 4 hours) and I could think of five or more scenes that I would cut or shorten. But I am also a sucker for long, angsty and depressing sung-through shows such as LES MISERABLES and MISS SAIGON.

While there is some humour in the dialog, one thing I was missing is a comic relief amidst all the gloom-and-doom to to relieve tension. LES MISERABLES has the Therdanier's and MISS SAIGON has the Engineer. I think it would work for this show as well.

KRISTINA FROM DUVEMÅLA has become even more relevant than ever in recent times with the current conflicts, wars and refugee crisis in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Kristina, Karl-Oskar and over a million other Swedes emigrated for the same variety of reasons: to escape poverty, to find gold and become rich, to avoid religious persecution, to get away from stigmas that follow them in their home parish, risking their lives in search of safety. Integration is one of the most important social and political issues right now and this story opens up your eyes to what is really important.

I left the show inspired and awakened, with the feeling that something important has been said.

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