Helsinki Dance Company, at the top of its game, is preparing to win over a new generation of dance audiences with the classic work no-no

“I’m often asked whether I intend to change or reinvent the work. My answer has been no. We are trying to stay true to the original. I have allowed myself to change 25 steps if they don’t work. So far, we have used five of them. The company is in great form, and it looks good, if I may say so myself,” choreographer Kenneth Kvarnström says with a smile.

Balancing extreme physicality with sensual poetry, no-no unfolds as an intense ritual of movement that leaves the audience breathless, too. Physically demanding for the dancers, the work has required meticulous preparation and excellent stamina.

The 2026 version, created for nine dancers, features Matilda Bjärum Bengtsson (guest), Sofia Hilli, Jyrki Kasper, Anni Koskinen (guest), Aksinja Lommi, Pekka Louhio, Mikko Paloniemi, Justus Pienmunne and Inka Tiitinen. The dance captain is Kalle Lähde.

Of the dancers, Hilli, Paloniemi and Tiitinen also appeared in the 2008 version.

“It is wonderful to experience this journey again. The body remembers a surprising amount of the choreography, even after all these years. For me, this physically demanding work is a celebration of movement and expression, precise partnering and the whole company breathing together. To all of that, I say Yes-Yes!” says Sofia Hilli, who has danced with HDC since 1998.

“In 2008, no-no was one of my first works after joining Helsinki Dance Company following my graduation from the Theatre Academy. Even then, its powerful world and physicality made a deep impression on me, and I greatly enjoyed performing it, although I also remember the pressure I put on myself during the process. I feel much more prepared, both physically and otherwise, to perform the work now than I was 18 years ago,” says Mikko Paloniemi.

“I saw no-no in 1996, during my first year at the Department of Dance, and it made an enormous impression on me. It was a great honour to perform and interpret the work in 2008. no-no has been one of the most significant works of my career as a dancer. It left its mark on my body—a particular way of inhabiting and interpreting movement, states of mind, images and emotions—and in that sense, it has stayed with me ever since,” says Inka Tiitinen, who has danced with HDC since 2000.

The set and lighting design are by Swedish designer Jens Sethzman, with Vesa Ellilä as lighting supervisor. Ellilä has served as lighting master for every performance of no-no since 1996. The costumes are designed by Sari Salmela. Sound design for the original production is by Jyrki Sandell, with Eero Niemi as sound supervisor. Hair and make-up are designed by Tuula Kuittinen.

Premiered in 1996, no-no ushered in a new era of powerfully physical contemporary dance and captivated audiences both in Finland and on its European tour. The work was last performed at Helsinki City Theatre to sold-out audiences in 2008.

no-no opened Kenneth Kvarnström’s tenure as artistic director of HCT’s dance company from 1996 to 1998, and immediately became a favourite with audiences and critics alike. Kvarnström’s intensely physical and poetic movement language attracted new audiences to the company and generated extensive media attention. His choreographies have been described as physical and demanding, yet also sensual and delicate.

Dancers from the original production—Kirsi Karlenius, Kai Lähdesmäki, Unto Nuora and Kaisa Torkkel—still work at Helsinki City Theatre. The 1996 version also featured Mattias Ekholm, Harri Kuorelahti/Ville Sormunen, Raisa Punkki and Tove Wingren.

Helsinki Dance Company is a contemporary dance company founded at Helsinki City Theatre in 1973. Over the years, Helsinki Dance Company has worked with numerous distinguished artists and has also played a vital role in the professionalisation of dance in Finland. In addition to independent dance works, its dancers have appeared extensively in the theatre’s productions, from plays to musicals, and have also worked as choreographers. The company is known for its charismatic, expressive dancers and for visually polished works with a powerful movement language. It currently produces two premieres a year, one in the autumn season and one in the spring season. The company is led by Valtteri Raekallio.

Read the interview with choreographer Kenneth Kvarnström and company director Valtteri Raekallio on the theatre’s website: Mestarillista koreografista käsityötä ja tanssin hurmosta

no-no – premiere on 19.11.2026, with performances until 29.12.2026 on the Small Stage at Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5).

Standard ticket 45 €, student ticket 22,50 € (Mon–Thu) and pensioner ticket 43 € (Mon–Thu)
#nono @hktfi

Free meet-the-artists events and discussions:

On Saturday 28.11., after the performance at approximately 14.15–15.15 in the Small Stage foyer, Virve Sutinen, former artistic director of Dansens hus in Stockholm and the Tanz im August Berlin festival, will discuss the work with choreographer Kenneth Kvarnström and dancers Inka Tiitinen and Unto Nuora.

On Saturday 5.12., after the performance at approximately 14.15–15.15 in the Small Stage foyer, the work will be discussed by Virve Sutinen, former artistic director of Dansens hus in Stockholm and the Tanz im August Berlin festival; dance scholar Aino Kukkonen; editor-in-chief and business director Marjaana Toiminen; and company director Valtteri Raekallio.

Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone: (09) 3940 22, Mon–Fri 10–17. 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 9–19, Sun 12–16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge) www.hkt.fi

Press release photo: Stefan Bremer (1996)

Further information, interview requests and media ticket enquiries:
Communications Manager Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki