Eppu Nuotio, the writer of the musical Life behind the window, hopes that the work will bring joy to people

A man in corduroy pants, a boy named Päivi and Amalia dancing horrible dances.

They and many other familiar characters are on stage Eppu Nuotion scripting, Gösta Sundqvist in the musical based on the lyrics Life behind the window.

"All the characters in the musical are from Gösta's ingenious lyrics," says Nuotio

The persons were already semi-familiar to him. A deeper acquaintance began with the manuscript process.

"I listened through Gösta's entire production"

It all started on social media. Director of Theater Imatra Timo Rissanen approached the already familiar Nuotio with a message: do you have time to meet, it would be a work matter.

The meeting was arranged in a cafe in Tölö. There, Rissanen inquired whether Nuotio would be interested in writing a musical for Teatteri Imatra to the music of Leevi and the Leavings.

Nuotio got excited, but still asked for time to think.

"I listened through Gösta's entire production. Some of the songs were very familiar, but there were also many that I hadn't listened to before. After listening to the songs, it was easy for me to say yes to the project. "

Funny but not ready to be laughed at

The work started with the creation of persons. The characters were found in the lyrics, and when they were ready, Nuotio started making the story.

"There is a lot of dark humor in Gösta's world, which arises from the way a person messes around and is not a master at anything. Yet they are the heroes of their own lives. I wanted to hold on to it.”

The end result is a musical full of humor and a taste of life.

"It's funny, but not completely laughed at. Fun can be found underneath everything else," Nuotio describes.

The main theme is growing as a person. Hannu grows from a slipper into a self-accepted man in corduroy pants, Karoliina finds that she can get by without a man. Marja-Leena finally dares to enter into a new relationship and the Kai boy grows into Päivi during the story.

"And then, of course, there is Miss Amalia, who has supported young Kai, who lives next door, praised and supported her."

Hope and laughter

The first performance of the musical "Life in the window behind" will be seen at Teatteri Imatra in the spring and winter. Nuotio is happy that the theater dared to order a completely new work.

"It's not everyday these days. I take my hat off to Imatra."

He hopes that the musical will leave the audience feeling hopeful.

"The kind of feeling that you could laugh a little at others and also at yourself. That a person is a fool to believe in all potash, but that everything can be overcome."