The comedy about a bank robbery is bursting with speed, near misses and gravity-defying stunts

We are in Helsinki in the 1950s, and prisoner Roger Rahikainen and prison guard Tauno Kyykkä are planning a big diamond robbery at Hakaniemi Stock Bank. At the same time, bank manager Jorma Kuusikko is tuning the security systems to the extreme. The bank manager’s daughter Aino, on the other hand, has met a charming new boyfriend Veikka, who ends up joining Roger Rahikainen’s robbery squad. The situation is not helped by the fact that Roger is also Aino’s former fiancée. An unbridled chain of misunderstandings and near misses ensues as scammers go head-to-head.

“The Comedy of a Bank Robbery is a hilarious comedy of mischief that combines the best features of traditional farce and contemporary comedy. The performance includes acrobatic performances, Mission Impossible-inspired landings, gravity-defying stage scenery and, of course, a lot of doors and fast dialogue. The technical expertise and technical staff of the Helsinki City Theatre are sure to sweat during the performance,” says director Samuel Harjanne.

Comedy about a bank robbery is Harjanne, known for his musicals and operas, directing a spoken word play. Although the music does not form the backbone of the dramaturgy this time, the precision of rhythm and timing is just as important as in great musicals.

“It has been inspiring to challenge myself with a spoken word play and especially a farce. We have all pulled together from the beginning. Someone may ask if they are nervous about ‘succeeding’ in a new genre. But our goal is more than just success: to make people laugh and forget about their worries, even for a moment.”

The play was written by British composers Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, who are known for their international breakthrough farce The Play That Goes Wrong. The work was also seen at the Helsinki City Theatre in 2022–2023. The comedy about a bank robbery is a newer farce by the trio, which premiered in 2016 in London’s West End. There, the hit play continued in the repertoire for four years.

The comedy stars Rauno Ahonen, Risto Kaskilahti, Jouko Klemettilä, Samuel Kujala, Merja Larivaara, Linnea Leino, Lasse Lipponen, Kai Lähdesmäki, Martti Manninen, Samuli Pajunen, Raili Raitala, Sauli Suonpää and Kaisa Torkkel.

The original work, A Comedy About A Bank Robbery, was written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields. The comedy has been translated into Finnish by Paavo Leppäkoski, who has received much praise for his Finnish translation of Moulin Rouge, and it is directed by Samuel Harjanne. The set design is by Jani Uljas and the costume design is by Elina Vättö. William Iles and Toni Haaranen are responsible for the lighting and video design.The sound designer is Jaakko Virmavirta. The camouflage was designed by Milja Mensonen. The dramaturg has been Henna Piirto.

Read the director’s interview on the theatre’s website: Diamond Theatre Play in 1950s HakaniemiComedy about bank robbery premieres on 5 February 2026 on the main stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5).

Tickets: basic ticket 64 €, student ticket 32 € (Mon-Thu) and pensioner ticket 61 € (Mon-Thu)
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Helsinki City Theatre’s ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 394022 Mon-Fri 10 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 9-19, Sun 12-16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge) www.hkt.fi

In the photo: Linnea Leino, Samuel Kujala, Sauli Suonpää and Risto Kaskilahti, photographer Otto-Ville Väätäinen.

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