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Finnish theatre Interview : Leo Kontula director of "Kahden maailman hotelli"   When and how did you decide to become a director? I am a dramaturge by background, that is my profession and also my current employment in Lahti City Theatre. I have, however, directed a few plays. I directed my first play in Turku in 1982. I had also written the play – I´m not sure if anyone else would have agreed to do it… Why did you choose theatre? When I was growing up I was interested in art in its various forms and I could not quite decide what to choose and which way to go. Maybe that is why theatre in its versatility began to seem most enticing. Also some personal relationships and pure coincidence played an important part in this matter. How did you choose to adapt "Two world´s hotel"? I only had to read it through to know I want to do it. You also translated and adapted "The Libertine"… Before "The Libertine" I had already translated Schmitt´s "Enigma Variations" into Finnish. And yes, Schmitt is one of my great favourites among contemporary playwrights. I also had the great pleasure and honour, indeed, to meet him when he visited Finland and Lahti in spring 1998. How did you choose the actors for Kahden maailman hotelli? Already while working on the translation I had pictured certain actors from our theatre in the roles of the play. I was lucky because most of my wishes came true in the actual production. Is there a scene in Kahden maailman hotelli that you particularly appreciate? The play is a unity. I can not single out any particular parts or scenes from it. What was the biggest difficulty in the creation of Kahden maailman hotelli? Directing is never easy. In "Two world´s Hotel" maybe the most difficult task was to combine the strong philosophical core with light and spirited dialogue. But even that was not too difficult to accomplish, the play is so well written. Would you be interested in directing for the cinema or television? No, not at the moment anyway. I am first and foremost a theatre-person. But one must never say never… What are your actual and coming projects? Translating and adapting Hamlet by Shakespeare should keep me busy in the near future. More informations : http://www.lahdenkaupunginteatteri.fi Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2003

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