Under the North Star: A Modern Classic at Oulu Theatre

At the end of the year, our theatre will stage a major production based on Väinö Linna’s trilogy Under the North Star (1959–1962) – a work that has perhaps shaped the Finnish perception of history more than any other. Presented in two parts, the play of the Under the North Star will have its double premiere on November 13 and 14.

Set during the early years of Finnish independence, the story is told through the perspective of Alma Koskela, the backbone of her family, portrayed by actress Tuula Väänänen. Alma leads the audience through the decades, reflecting the experiences of a mother and, later, a grandmother.

“In Linna’s original work, events are often handled through the men. However, Alma is the one who lives through and experiences everything, yet maintains her faith in life,” says director Esa-Matti Smolander.

“There are many strong women in my own family, so it felt natural to tell the story specifically through Alma. Her character is very recognizable to me,” he adds.

Smolander’s adaptation features layered perspectives: the scale of Finland and Europe, Finland as a country in turmoil, a village within that country where the events unfold, and the family whose mother, Alma, experiences it all.

“By telling Alma’s story, we are simultaneously telling the story of Finland. It is the story of the ‘little person’,” Smolander describes.

A Unique Stage World and a Strong Ensemble

Esa-Matti Smolander’s vision for the work also convinced the theatre’s management, who see fresh energy in the director’s style for interpreting a traditional classic:

“Esa-Matti Smolander is a young director who has established himself in the theatre field with wonderful vigor and a unique voice; he is also the Artistic Director of Teatteri Vanha Juko. I was particularly impressed by his adaptation of Crime and Punishment at Q-teatteri in Helsinki, which combined loyalty to the original work with a very distinctive stage world. I expect the same for our North Star,” says Alma Lehmuskallio, Artistic Director of Oulu Theatre.

The visual world of the play is created by visiting designers: set designer Helka Saariniemi and costume designer Iida Ukkola. The artistic team also includes Eija Juutistenaho (hair and makeup design), Jari Niemi (sound design), and Jukka Kyllönen (lighting design).

The stage will feature the theatre’s own 13-actor ensemble, bringing to life a vast gallery of characters ranging from the Koskela family to the Red Guards, the Whites, and other villagers.

A Modern National Epic in a European Light

Väinö Linna’s masterpiece is a tale of land, labor, and love that endures even when wars and internal national conflicts sweep over it. Performed during Oulu’s European Capital of Culture year, the work mirrors Finnish identity as part of the Great Currents of Europe.

According to Alma Lehmuskallio, the choice was intentional:

“I wanted to select something characteristically Finnish for the Capital of Culture year. The performance explores how the national landscape of the mind and societal tensions relate to broader European history, and what echoes they have in the present day,” Lehmuskallio says.

Esa-Matti Smolander

Graduated as a director in 2024 from the Uniarts Helsinki’s Theatre Academy.

Artistic Director of Teatteri Vanha Juko since 2021.

Previous works includes Crime and Punishment (Q-teatteri), Blood Roses (Teatteri Vanha Juko), and The Seagull (Lahti City Theatre).