Minna Craucher

& Espoon Teatteri

Written by Aino Pennanen
Directed by Riikka Oksanen
Composed by Eeva Kontu

A Musical about Power and Play

A charming musical about the controversial Minna Craucher, whose life story continues to intrigue us.

Minna Craucher (1891–1932) grew up poor, spent some time in prison, and rose to fame as a socialite hosting a well-known salon for the Tulenkantajat literary group. Her political scheming led to her being named ”The Captain” of the right-wing Lapua Movement, and Craucher was assassinated. Her life was fueled by an unending ability to fabricate stories about her past and achievements, to come up with aliases and titles, and to fool the high society.

Featuring a virtuoso ensemble of performers who sing and play various instruments, this musical carnival paints a vivid picture of the rise of fascism, drawing parallels between the past and the present. It turns a lie into a mirror to see the relativity of truth. Can someone who’s poor reinvent themselves as someone who’s rich and well-to-do?

”This Minna Craucher musical has everything you look for in a well-made, interesting, clever and educational production.”
Anne Välinoro, kulttuuritoimitus.fi