Jouko Turkka

Jouko Veli Turkka (born April 17, 1942 in Pirkkala, Finland) is a Finnish theatrical director and controversialist. As a teacher and later headmaster in the Helsinki school of theatre, Jouko Turkka created a whole generation of Finnish actors, and a recognisable style of acting.

The method was to progressively search for a mental borderline state by psychic and physical exertion, and the result was frequently an acting performance characterised by actors shaking uncontrollably and spewing spit and snot and other bodily fluids around them. Some likened the method to brainwashing, or to those of religious cults.

The government of the day had cause to remove him from his post as headmaster of the Helsinki school of theatre, when a group of his students held a performance by invitation at which they cut themselves to bleed, smeared each other with excrement, and performed a crucifixion. The group, called "Jumalan Teatteri" (The Theatre Of God) in a direct reference to Antonin Artaud, also hurled excrement at the audience, resulting in well publicised laundry bills and court cases for the recompense for same.

When the Finnish Minister of Culture appointed Maija-Liisa Marton to follow him as headmaster, the whole student body occupied and barricaded the school building with desks and chairs, refusing to "give it up".

Renowned for his sadistic directorial style and numerous instances of reducing acting students or actors he was directing to tears and/or nervous breakdowns, very few people doubt his genius.

Several actors have written books which describe their experiences with him, either as students or actors.

Literary works

*"Aiheita" (1982)
*"Selvitys oikeuskanslerille" (1984)
*"Häpeä" (1994)
*"Nyt alkoi elämä" (1996)

Plays, directed by

* Anu ja Mikko (1968)
* Hyvästi Mansikki (1969)
* Tuntematon sotilas (1971)
* Tulitikkuja lainaamassa (1972)
* Kyllikki ja Runar (1974, 1996)
* Nummisuutarit (1974, 1975)
* Siinä näkijä missä tekijä (1976)
* Niskavuoren nuori emäntä (1977)
* Putkinotko (1978)
* Aavesonaatti (1978)
* Viisas neitsyt (1979)
* Tuntematon sotilas (1979)
* Murtovarkaus (1981)
* Voimamies (1982)
* Tuhat ja yksi yötä (1983)
* Hypnoosi (1985)
* Kött och Kärlek (1986)
* Valheita (1990)
* Presidentin dementia (1993)
* Att hyra en kändis (1994)
* Kumpi nauttii enemmän - Mies vai nainen? (1995)
* Rakkaita pettymyksiä rakkaudessa (1996)
* Täysin tyydytetty nainen (1997)
* Yksi yö Ruotsalaista Kesää (2004)
* Konkurssisirkus (2005)