Helsinki City Theatre’s novelty challenges actors: “The traditional approach has been turned on its head”
Somatic Sitcom, staged by the Helsinki City Theatre’s Contemporary Performance, plays with the aesthetics of1990s TV sitcoms and layers seemingly insignificant gestures into a playful and moving choreography. The contemporary performance invites the actors to continue being on stage from a different perspective: instead of a psychological approach, the starting point for the work is the sensations of one’s own body. The audience, on the other hand, gets to interpret what is happening on stage, who the performers are and why they act the way they do. The novelty will have itsfirst eveningat its studio in Pasila on 21 November. huhtikuu.
The process-based Somatic Sitcom consists of four episodes. The work does not have a traditional script, but the stage activities are based on the various bodily tasks given to the performers by choreographer Anna Maria Häkkinen . The process has opened up new ways for the actors to approach their work and being on stage.
“We often build a role psychologically through emotions and situations and ask how they are reflected in the body. In Somatic Sitcom, the approach is concrete. We focus on bodily tasks, rhythm and how space, objects and other performers affect our bodies. Still, it is precisely this bodily form that can convey something psychological to the viewer or even create comical situations when placed in a set familiar from television sitcoms,” describes actress Vappu Nalbantoglu.
There are five performers on stage, but the performance does not define their roles or relationships, but leaves the interpretation to the viewer. The realistic set design, on the other hand, is familiar to everyone from 1990s sitcoms. When something a little twisted begins to happen in a familiar environment, the viewer has the opportunity to examine the strangeness and wonder of existence.
The exceptional way of working has pleased Nalbantoglu and raised a lot of thoughts:
“It has been great to be able to work with this interdisciplinary group under the direction of choreographer Anna-Maria Häkkinenon the stage of the Youth Performance. It has felt liberating to be in a world where I have been able to focus entirely on the bodily experience. It also brings a certain innocence to the characters in the performance. They are present in the moment, not on social media. Hopefully, the work also gives space and time for the viewer’s thoughts, the interpretation is everyone’s own.”The Somatic Sitcom performance is based on choreographer Anna Maria Häkkinen, scenographer Erno Aaltonen and dramaturg Emil Santtu Uuttu’s shared interest in classic 1990s sitcoms. The working group has spent hundreds of hours watching the era’s sitcoms, deconstructing their rhythms, gestures and moods, and transferring them to the language of contemporary dance and bodily expression. The trio has previously worked together on Phoenix – a deep relaxation serotonin release (2023), which was created for dance students at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, and Afterglow, low lingering slips of light (2023), which premiered at the Performa Biennale in New York.The Somatic Sitcom features Hanna Ahti, Juha Jokela, Vappu Nalbantoglu, Esete Sutinen and Antti Timonen. The choreography of the work is by Anna Maria Häkkinen. Erno Aaltonen is responsible for the set design and lighting and sound design. The dramaturg is Emil Santtu Uuttu. The costumes for the work are a collaboration between Paula Ojala and the working group. The camouflage is designed by Ronja Nylund. Dancer Taru Aho participates in the preliminary work of the dance. In addition, Niina Hosiasluoma gave the working group an expert lecture on experiential anatomy. The Contemporary Performance Stage in Studio Pasila brings new forms of performing arts into the Helsinki City Theatre’s repertoire. The purpose of the contemporary performance stage is to create diverse contemporary performances for larger stages and wider audiences, as well as to create unique encounters between a fixed professional theatre and independent operators. Somatic Sitcom premiere 21.4.2026 and performances until 9.5.2026 in Studio Pasila (Ratamestarinkatu 5). Tickets: basic ticket €25 and student ticket €12.50 (Mon-Thu) #somaticsitcom @hktfi #nykyesityksennäyttämö Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 3940 22 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket offices First line 2, Mon-Fri 12-17, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (on performance days) 11-18.30 and one hour before the performance and Lippu.fi, Mon-Sat 9-21, Sun 10-16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/from min+local network charge) www.hkt.fi The picture in the press release was drawn by Kaarlo Stauffer. Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests: Communications Manager Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788 Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki