Aftonbladet 100414
By: TORBJÖRN EK
Photo: JYTTE NIELSEN
Helen Sjöholm is tired – this night she´s doing the last concert
LONDON. Helen Sjöholm is fed up with Kristina from Duvemala. Tonight may be the last time she makes the parade role – at Royal Albert Hall in London.
– I’m finished with her now, she says.
In September, two concerts of “Kristina from Duvemala” were performed in the historic Carnegie Hall in New York. The concerts were recorded and are now being released on CD. At the same time, the concert version of the musical takes placeat Royal Albert Hall in London. Helen Sjöholm, 39, makes the title role as Kristina, but this only show will be her last.
– I’m finished with her now, Helen reveals when Nöjesbladet meets her in London.
Breakthrough in 1995
Although Helen expresses great gratitude for the role of Kristina, which was her big break in 1995, it is easy to understand that she is tired.
– I’ve been singing these songs a thousand times. And I mean it, a thousand times. I have done theperformances almost five hundred times and I have rehearsed and done so many concerts, she says.
At the same time she admits that it would feel strange to see someone else in the lead role if the musical would to be set up in London.
– Yes a little, it would be a little jealous feeling. There’s no one else who has done her, no one has had the opportunity. But there are certainly plenty of Kristinas out there.
Yet it is with sadness Helen Sjöholm goes up on stage tonight. Not to do the parade role one last time. Not that handing over the baton to Kristina on to countless other musicals singers. Her loss is more real than that. Her friend and mentor Torsten Fellinger recently passed away.
– He has ment an awful lot to me. He will be buried this week and I can not be there, “says Helen.
Legendary teacher
When she landed the role of Kristina in 1995, she was sent to Torsten Fellinger for help with his singing and his theatrical expression. The legendary theater teacher at the University of Stockholm became her guide and a close friend. When the curtain goes up tonight and Helen Sjöholm is up on stage she is reminiscent of him.
– I will think about him a lot. I do right now of course. But not in a sad way, mostly in a happy way, because he was not a sad person. He was amazing. It is too bad he’s gone, she says about her friend.
THIS WILL HAPPEN AFTER “KRISTINA”
Plays Karin in “Simon And the Oaks” Going directly after the concert at Royal Albert Hall to Hamburg to begin the filming of “Simon And the Oaks.” When a book by Marianne Fredriksson for the first time becomes a movie Helen has got the role as Simon’s mother Karin.
– I feel nervous. A lot of people love this book, but you can not think of that as an actor. It´s also the first time I´m shooting where my character does not sing.
“Simon And the Oaks” will be released in the spring of 2011.
Singing Kleerup’s music on stage This fall, Helen Sjöholm plays in Stockholm City Theatre’s production of Harry Martinson’s space epic “Aniara” with Dan Ekborg, Ingvar Hirdwall, Sven Wollter and Claire Wikholm. Andreas Kleerup has been hired to write the new music.
– He writes at full speed now, I have heard very little so far. He said that I was awsome? I can hardly wait, I’m really curious to hear what this will be like. It´s a complex poetic work.
“Aniara” will premiere at the Stockholm City Theater on October 21.
THIS IS HELEN:
Name: Marie Helen Sjöholm Granditsky
Age: 39 (turns 40 July 10)
Family: Husband David Granditsky and son Ruben, almost 3 years
Currently: Starring tonight as Kristina från Duvemåla one last time in concert version at Royal Albert Hall.