Nauravan kulkurin tarina tells the story of how Vesa-Matti Loiri became an artist beloved by the entire nation. Written by Sami Keski-Vähälä and adapted and directed by Paavo Westerberg, this new Finnish musical drama premieres on 30 September on the Main Stage of Helsinki City Theatre, where Loiri himself once performed. Santeri Kinnunen plays the older Loiri, while Oliver Kollberg portrays him as a young man.

Fretti Mercury etsii onnea, a fast-paced musical for the whole family based on the children’s book of the same name by Miika Nousiainen and Sanna-Mari Pirkola (Otava, 2020), premieres at Studio Pasila on 23 September. Adapted for the stage by Nousiainen himself, the story explores the search for happiness and the importance of friendship, brimming with the author’s trademark wordplay. The musical’s exceptionally diverse score is composed by Marzi Nyman, with lyrics by Mariska.

Helsinki City Theatre’s new touring children’s theatre production from its audience engagement programme, Naapurini, is based on ideas, sounds and drawings collected from children at daycare centres in Malmi. The production explores moving to a new home, feeling nervous, finding courage and making new friends. Naapurini will premiere at Malmitalo on 11 September.

Helsinki City Theatre’s autumn season at Lilla Teatern opens with De obehöriga, a contemporary satire by Swedish horror writer John Ajvide Lindqvist. With warm humour, the play explores topical issues such as insecurity and fear of the unknown. The production marks David Sandqvist’s directorial debut as Artistic Director of Lilla Teatern, and the cast includes Sampo Sarkola, who has made few stage appearances since 2016.

Helsinki City Theatre, Wasa Teater and Åbo Svenska Teater are launching a three-year collaboration in which each theatre will take turns producing a show that will then tour to the other two cities. The first production is När Baba faller i poolen är kl. 23.47, premiering at Lilla Teatern on 29 October. The play by Spanish-Swedish playwright Astrid Menasanch Tobieson explores themes of class, racism and human dignity.

Based on Iida Turpeinen’s bestselling novel (Kustantamo S&S, 2023), Elolliset traces the story of a species hunted to extinction from the 18th century to the present day. This visually and aurally striking co-production by Helsinki City Theatre and the WAUHAUS collective brings to the stage a cast of historical figures who lived through pivotal moments in the history of natural science. Adapted for the stage by Pipsa Lonka, the play will have its world premiere on 3 September at the Small Stage.