By Halle Marshall

Halle Marshall goes behind the scenes of Oulun Lyseo’s latest production. What do you get when you mix one hypochondriac prince, two evil witches, a narrator who can’t seem to stay out of their own story, and a sprinkling of assorted country bumpkins and clowns? The answer is: the recipe for Oulun Lyseo’s uproarious production of Hillary DePiano’s The Love of Three Oranges.

Based on an old Italian comedy, but with a modern spin, The Love of Three Oranges is the story of miserable Prince Tartaglia who is doomed by the evil witch Fata Morgana to endure a treacherous quest for three…er…oranges. Along the way, he encounters formidable foes, like the donkey of unspeakable horror, and in the end finds friendship, love, and, most importantly, laughter.

At a technical rehearsal of the show, I spoke with final-year, student and director, Silja Kupiainen, who chose the script because it showcases a wide variety of theatrical techniques, especially those related to comedy.

‘There’s a lot going on with the music and the lighting. And we can use different acting traditions. We have a puppet in our play also.’

Well-timed sound effects and elements of slap-stick comedy find their way into the production and heighten the hilarity of witty banter and jokey asides. Kupiainen is quick to note that part of her interest in The Love of Three Oranges was due simply to its entertainment value. ‘It’s really funny!’ When a tour of the set reveals a pile of brightly colored court jester-type costumes and a rubber chicken, I’m confident that the audience is in for a wild ride.

For Kupiainen, the best part of being involved with the play is working with a team that is passionate about what they do, and that this quality is transmitted to the audience.

‘I can promise that they can see our enthusiasm in the play…for us it’s always a pleasure to introduce another play for our audience.’

Her enthusiasm is echoed by the cast. Arttu Pasanen, who plays the sickly but determined Prince Tartaglia, clearly relishes his part.

‘It’s quite easy to act him because you can just go overboard!’ Indeed, watching the rehearsal, I’m struck by how this group of twenty-odd chatty, wise-cracking teenagers snaps to attention under Kaupiainen’s firm but friendly direction as they run through the show’s lighting and sound cues, both of which are also being handled by students from Oulun Lyseo.

The actors are nervous at first, and there are a few hiccups in the timing, but they seem to gain confidence and lose themselves in their roles as their zany dialogue produces giggles from the few onlookers.

On a final note, Kupiainen makes a plug for the show and stresses the accessibility of the production for the wider Oulu community. ‘I wish that many people would come and see it because it’s in English and the student productions are always something different.’

One question remains, however, and that is: why oranges? When asked, Kupiainen keeps mum on the subject. The curious will just have to come and see for themselves.

The Love of Three Oranges is playing at Valve, in downtown Oulu, 23, 29, and 30 January at 18.00. Ticket prices are 5€ for students and 7€ for all others. More information can be found on the Valve website, www.kulttuurivalve.fi