Birds of Paradise examines masculinity in an age that idealises strength
Inspired by the courtship dances of birds of paradise, professional wrestling and gender stereotypes, choreographer Tiia Kasurinen’s new dance work Birds of Paradise explores the models of masculinity our culture rewards. What kinds of choreography do birds and humans create to be noticed, accepted and chosen? Created during the Helsinki City Theatre Contemporary Performance Stage’s summer residency, the work premieres on 6 August at Studio Pasila.
“The initial spark for the work came from the courtship dances of colourful male birds familiar from nature documentaries. Through avian courtship rituals, I wanted to turn the focus on humans and gender norms. How do we encounter one another? How do we seek acceptance or love? I am curious to explore humanity through courtship rituals with humour and tenderness, without shying away from weighty themes such as power, consent and extreme masculinity,” says Tiia Kasurinen , who created the work’s overall concept and is also responsible for its choreography and direction.
The stage is inhabited by four utopian birds of paradise, whose spectacular costumes come from costume designer Leevi Ikäheimo’s No Pain No Glamour collection, which explores hypermasculinity. With their superhero-like silhouettes and bold colours, the costumes invite us to consider what ideas of masculinity and body image boys and men are presented with from childhood onwards.
The dancers are Tiia Kasurinen, Kaisu Koittola and Lauri Lohi. Live video is filmed on stage by Samu Hakomäki. Costume design is by Leevi Ikäheimo. The music is composed and the sound designed by Drama Tiikka, Iida Hägglund and Tiia Kasurinen. Lighting design is by Mikko Kaukonen. Set design is by Aino Koski and Mikko Kaukonen. Video design is by Tiia Kasurinen and Mikko Kaukonen. Christa Ropponen is working on the production as an intern.
An early version of Birds of Paradise attracted international attention as early as 2024, when it was selected for the final of the Danse Élargie choreography competition in Paris – the first Finnish work in the competition’s history. Birds of Paradise will also be presented elsewhere in the Nordic countries after its run at Helsinki City Theatre.
Kasurinen graduated from the Dance Performance programme at Stockholm University of the Arts in 2017. Her choreographic works have been presented at Dance Base Yokohama in Japan, the One Dance festival in Bulgaria, Inkonst in Sweden, Helsinki Festival and Zodiak – Center for New Dance.
Based at Studio Pasila, the Contemporary Performance Stage brings new forms of performing arts to Helsinki City Theatre’s programme. The Contemporary Performance Stage aims to bring diverse contemporary performances to larger stages and wider audiences, while creating unique encounters between an established professional theatre and independent artists and companies.
Birds of Paradise premieres on 6.8.2026, with performances until 19.8.2026 at Studio Pasila (Ratamestarinkatu 5). Tickets: standard ticket 25 € and student ticket 12,50 € (Mon–Thu) #birdsofparadise @hktfi #nykyesityksennäyttämö
Helsinki City Theatre’s telephone ticket sales and customer service: (09) 3940 22, Mon–Fri 9–17. Box offices: Ensi linja 2, Mon–Fri 12–17; Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (on performance days) 11–18.30 and one hour before each performance; and lippu.fi, Mon–Sat 9–21, Sun 10–16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/starting min + local/mobile network charge) www.hkt.fi
Press release photo: Jessica North
Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Communications Coordinator Heta Tuppurainen, heta.tuppurainen@hkt.fi, 050 475 7563 (until 31.7.2026)
Head of Communications Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788 (from 3.8.2026)
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja, 00530 Helsinki