The plot of For Your Pleasure dates back to the late Fifties. Television was starting to make life tough for the small theatrical companies touring the country-side. The film tells the story of such a touring company, led by an oldtime director who vainly tries to play sophisticated drawing-room comedies to thinning and unappreciative audiences. He even roars at them for laughing at the wrong places, and most of all, for not coming to see his performances. He rules his small company equally harshly, swearing and shouting at them for not conforming with his ideas.

The leading prima donna, who is the director's wife, is worrying about her small children back home, and the increasingly desperate attempts by her husband to seduce the company's new ingenue of the season.

The troupe, facing the difficulties of life on the road in the melancholy Finnish country-side, is fighting for its life. Will they outlast another season?

Johan Bergenstrahle

Born: 1935. Directed plays, then TV films.

Features: Made in Sweden (1969), A Baltic Tragedy (1970), Foreigners (1972), Hallo Baby (1976), For Your Pleasure (1978).