Human dignity at the heart of a production launching a new collaboration between three Swedish-language theatres

The word Baba, which appears in the title of the play, is an informal and affectionate word for dad in many languages. The story begins when Baba (Elihú Galván) loses his job. Without telling anyone, he starts working as a mascot at events. One evening takes a fateful turn when a lavish party spins out of control and Baba sinks into a swimming pool dressed as a rabbit.

The story is told from the perspective of Baba’s daughter (Antonia Atarah), a young second-generation immigrant. As she tries to understand what happened, memories begin to surface: her childhood, her relationship with her father and her roots. The production explores the relationship between a child and a parent, while depicting a society in which a beloved family man is an invisible outsider in the eyes of others.

“The last time our three theatres collaborated was on the musical Katrina (2024), which was praised by audiences and critics alike. There is broad agreement across the performing arts sector on the value of increased collaboration. Co-productions allow us to combine our artistic and production resources and create a diverse and bold programme. They also give productions a longer life and the opportunity to reach wider audiences in several locations. This benefits the theatres and the entire theatre sector, but above all, the audience,” says Kira-Emmi Pohtokari, Theatre Director of Åbo Svenska Teater.

“I am delighted that our collaboration is continuing. We want to develop the Finland-Swedish theatre scene,” says David Sandqvist, who took up his post as Artistic Director of Lilla Teatern on 1 August this year.

The play was written for Kulturhuset Stadsteatern’s stage in Husby (2021).

On stage: Antonia Atarah and Elihú Galván. Written by Astrid Menasanch Tobieson. Directed by Icelandic director Hallveig Eiríksdóttir, with set and costume design by Riku Suvitie. Lighting and video design by Ville Tolvanen, sound design by Moe Mustafa. Make-up design by Jutta Kainulainen, with Sanna Niemeläinen as dramaturg.

The performance is in Swedish. Subtitles in Finnish, Swedish and English are available through the Subtitle Mobile app.

När Baba faller i poolen är kl. 23.47, premiere 29.10.2026 at Lilla Teatern, Georgsgatan 30, Helsingfors.

At Wasa Teater from 13.1 – 2.2.2027 and at Åbo Svenska Teater from 11.2 -20.3.2027.

Ticket prices at Helsinki City Theatre: standard ticket 43 €, student ticket 21,50 € (Mon–Thu), pensioner ticket 40 € (Mon–Thu).

#närbabafalleripoolenärkl2347 @lilla.teatern @hktfi @abosvenskateater @wasateater

Helsinki City Theatre’s customer service is available by phone at (09) 3940 22 Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm. The box office at Första linjen 2 is open Mon–Fri, 12 noon–5 pm. The box offices at Djurgårdsvägen 5 and the other venues open one hour before the performance at the venue in question. lippu.fi, Mon–Sat, 9 am–7 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min+lna/mta) www.hkt.fi

Press images are available in the media bank and press releases in the newsroom.

Press release image: Antonia Atarah and Elihú Galván. Photo: Heli Blåfield.

Further information, press tickets and interview requests:
Lilla Teatern, Communications Planner Ida Virkkunen, ida.virkkunen@lillateatern.fi, 050 357 4250. Helsinki City Theatre, Första linjen 2, 00530 Helsingfors.

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Human dignity is the theme of a production launching a new collaboration between three Swedish-language theatres

Helsinki City Theatre, Wasa Teater and Åbo Svenska Teater are embarking on a three-year collaboration in which each theatre will take turns producing a production that will also be staged in the other two cities. The first production will be När Baba faller i poolen är kl. 23.47, premiering on 29 October at Helsinki City Theatre’s Swedish-language Lilla Teatern. Written by Spanish-Swedish playwright Astrid Menasanch Tobieson, the play explores class, racism and human dignity.

The word Baba, which appears in the title of the play, is an informal and affectionate word for dad in many languages. The story begins when Baba (Elihú Galván) loses his job. Without telling anyone, he starts working as a mascot at events. One evening takes a fateful turn when a lavish party spins out of control and Baba sinks into a swimming pool dressed as a rabbit.

The story is told from the perspective of Baba’s daughter (Antonia Atarah), a young second-generation immigrant. As she tries to understand what happened, she begins to recall her childhood, her relationship with her father and their roots. The production explores the relationship between a child and a parent, while depicting a society in which a beloved family man is an invisible outsider in the eyes of others.

“Our previous collaboration was the musical Katrina (2024), which was praised by audiences and critics alike. There is broad agreement across the performing arts sector on the value of increased collaboration. Co-productions allow us to combine our artistic and production resources and create a diverse and bold programme. They also give productions a longer life and the opportunity to reach wider audiences in several locations. This benefits the theatres and the entire theatre sector, but above all, the audience,” says Kira-Emmi Pohtokari, Theatre Director of Åbo Svenska Teater.

“I am delighted that our excellent collaboration is continuing. We want to play our part in developing the Finland-Swedish theatre scene,” says David Sandqvist, who took up his post as Artistic Director of Lilla Teatern on 1 August this year.

The play was originally written for Kulturhuset Stadsteatern’s stage in Husby, Stockholm (2021).

On stage: Antonia Atarah and Elihú Galván.

Written by Astrid Menasanch Tobieson. Directed by Icelandic director Hallveig Eiríksdóttir. Set and costume design by Riku Suvitie. Lighting and video design by Ville Tolvanen, sound design by Moe Mustafa. Make-up design by Jutta Kainulainen, with Sanna Niemeläinen as dramaturg.

The performance is in Swedish. Subtitles in Finnish, Swedish and English are available through the Subtitle Mobile app.

När Baba faller i poolen är kl. 23.47, premiere 29.10.2026, Lilla Teatern, Yrjönkatu 30, Helsinki.

At Wasa Teater from 13.1.-2.2.2027 and at Åbo Svenska Teater from 11.2.-20.3.2027.

Ticket prices at Helsinki City Theatre: standard ticket 43 €, student ticket 21,50 € (Mon–Thu), pensioner ticket 40 € (Mon–Thu).

#närbabafalleripoolenärkl2347 @lilla.teatern @hktfi @abosvenskateater @wasateater

Helsinki City Theatre’s ticket sales and customer service are available by phone at (09) 3940 22 Mon–Fri, 10 am–5 pm. The box office at Ensi linja 2 is open Mon–Fri, 12 noon–5 pm. The box offices at Eläintarhantie 5 and the other venues open one hour before the performance at the venue in question. Tickets are also available from lippu.fi, Mon–Sat, 9 am–7 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min+pvm) www.hkt.fi

Press images are available in the media bank and press releases in the newsroom.

Press release image: Antonia Atarah and Elihú Galván. Photo: Heli Blåfield.

Further information, press ticket reservations and interview requests: 

Lilla Teatern, Communications Planner Ida Virkkunen, ida.virkkunen@lillateatern.fi, 050 357 4250. Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki