[6] Okon Fuko's premier was delayed despite being given the go-ahead by the Royal Danish Theatre, because a suitable lead actor could not be cast.
[9] Meanwhile, Knutsen's ambition knew and he envisioned – in addition to Paris – staging in London,[8] and Germany, and even a making a film,[9] but Madetoja did not agree with his plans.
After all, the two had agreed to split the profits half-and-half for shows abroad but two-thirds to Madetoja and one third for Knudsen for performances in Finland.
[10] The drama of the play in particular was criticized, and because Madetoja did not agree to Knudsen's request to compose it in the form of an opera, he is partly to blame.
Knudsen wanted to publish the work in Germany, with the partiture abridged and with additional music, but received little encouragement from Madetoja.
[12] Still in 1935 Knudsen approached Madetoja: chances of the play ever being staged at the Royal Danish Theatre seemed bleak, and the challenge of finding an actor who could sing and mime as well, remained an obstacle for performances elsewhere as well.