What does the theatre world in Finland look like in the eyes of an Englishman who has devoted his career to acting, directing and teaching performance arts? How does theatre in Finland compare to the UK? And more importantly, is there a place for someone like Ally Manson in Finnish theatre?
UK-born Ally Manson is a thespian, director, presenting coach — and a huge football fan! After nearly one year gauging the temperature of theatre in Finland, the London native has drawn a few conclusions about the local approach to the art form.
“Theatre as an example just isn't treated like a business, which on one hand allows artists to be really free, and I do really like that about it. But I think they're also missing a trick because it means that actors or creatives don't have any consistency with work, or not as much consistency as I think that they can.”
Theatre falling short in reflecting diversity
Manson tells FTTLG that it’s always been his dream to be a stage actor. Having made it his career in the UK he is perhaps better positioned that many to see opportunities for development here in Finland. For example, he notes that the UK National Theatre has cashed in on the general public’s love affair with pubs to help bankroll its operations, a model he suggests can be adapted in Finland.
“About 10 years ago they opened a pub attached to the theatre and it makes so much money because it's on the South Bank, so a prime location in London. And I reckon half the people that go to that pub don't even know it's attached to a theatre.”
He notes that in the UK, theatres and the Arts Council are part of an ongoing conversation about how to better reflect the diversity of British society and to address the exclusion of some groups from the stage. And he says that Finland also has some catching up to do in that area.
“Firstly I think it's the arts job to reflect society, so is Finland reflecting their society as well as they could? At least maybe in the theatre I haven't seen that.”
Avoiding the staleness trap
He concludes by highlighting the dilemma that many theatres face when they focus on reprising old favourites rather than taking risks with new and unknown productions.
“If we don't start to see, you know, new people working in this industry or any industry connected to the art, it just gets stale and you just see the same things again and again and again.”
You can find Ally Manson on Instagram by searching for his handle, @man01999, or you can reach him via his website. If you're a football fan (or even if you aren't) you can listen to expert analysis from Manson and his co-hosts on the podcast, The Finnish Football Show.
Listen to the full conversation with Ally Manson about the theatre scene in Finland and the UK on S2 E4 of FTTLG. You can follow and subscribe to Finland: Through the looking glass on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor.fm). Remember to like, share and rate the show and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Audio production was provided by Travis Glossop and the podcast was recorded at Enchanté Café in Helsinki.
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