Mauri Kunnas’s classic transforms the foyer of the City Theatre into a fairytale-like Christmas land
Mauri Kunnas’s Twelve Gifts to Santa Claus offers a Christmassy theatre experience for the whole family in the foyer of the Helsinki City Theatre’s small stage from 1 November.
Written by Mauri Kunnas and dramatised by Merja Turunen, the classic is directed by Kimmo Virtanen, who is remembered for e.g. From the City Theatre’s beloved children’s plays Escape from Kindergarten (2014), Siiri and the Messy Kerttu (2015), AtomiAatos (2016) and the delightful Groke Opera (2018), which continues in the repertoire on the small stage.
“I hope that after seeing this performance, the viewer would feel as if they had just been in a warm arms, laughed sweetly, looked at the stars and realized that they are both big and small at the same time, that the magic of Christmas would have touched people of all ages and made the foyer of the small stage feel like both a warm armchair and an immeasurable space, that they would have been more of an experiencer than a spectator. We aim to achieve this with rich visuals, a diverse soundscape, a familiar story and sincerely joyful acting,” says director Kimmo Virtanen.
The foyer of the small stage will be transformed into a fairytale Santa Claus Village in the skilful hands of set and costume designer Katariina Kirjavainen, lighting designer Patrik Åhlgren and sound designer Jaakko Autio . Sofia Hilli will be seen as Ville the elf, Risto Kaskilahti as Santa Claus and Sari Haapamäki in other roles.
The events take place in the well-known Korvatunturi fell. There is a lot of hustle and bustle going on, as there are only twelve days left until the elves’ big Christmas party. Ville the elf loves Christmas, and giving gifts is the best thing he knows. But Ville has a dilemma. How could Santa Claus be made happy? She comes up with the idea of giving Santa a gift every day before Christmas. And it becomes fun when everything doesn’t go according to plan. The elf boy’s antics make you happy in the middle of the rush and bring a good Christmas spirit. In addition to Ville the elf and Santa Claus, the Christmas Village will feature Mrs. Claus, real and graceful reindeer, Rekku the dog, a cat and elves!
Twelve Gifts for Santa Claus, which is performed on weekday and Saturday mornings, is suitable for the whole family from the age of 3. The play always returns to the repertoire before Christmas.
Twelve Gifts for Santa Claus premieres on 1.11.2018 in the foyer of the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5)
Tickets 10 € (incl. pm)