Saara Turunen’s new play premieres at Lilla Teatern / Saara Turunen’s novelty premieres at Lilla Teaternissa
Lilla Teatern’s autumn season begins on 11 September with the world premiere of Hyena Days, written and directed by Saara Turunen. The performance is partly based on her novel Hyeenan päivät (Tammi 2024) and it deals with the journey towards parenthood that began with fertility treatments.
What happens when life doesn’t follow the script you planned? The Hyena Days depicts a woman’s personal experiences, but at the same time it raises social questions about physicality, the demarcation between private and public, and the culture of self-reliance.
With the performance, Turunen continues to explore the conditions of women, a recurring theme in her work.
“I want to give the audience the freedom to make their own interpretations, but most of all, I hope that people will be able to enjoy themselves. The play combines music and visual expression in a way that is recognizable to me,” says Turunen.
Saara Turunen (b. 1981) is an award-winning author and playwright who is acclaimed both in Finland and internationally. She is known for her four novels and her work in theatre. Turunen’s works have been translated into several languages and performed all over the world. Now her work is being performed in Swedish for the first time. Turunen has been awarded the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize (2015) and the Finland Prize (2016), among others.
The cast includes Kreeta Salminen as well as Elmer Bäck, Katja Küttner, Pia Runnakko and Alexander Wendelin.
Script and direction Saara Turunen, translation Kasimir Koski, set design Milja Aho, costume design Liisa Pesonen, video and lighting design Ainu Palmu, sound design Tuuli Kyttälä, mask design Jaana Nykänen, choreography Janina Rajakangas.
Performed in Swedish. The performance is subtitled in Finnish and Swedish via the Subtitle Mobile mobile application.
Read the interview with Saara Turunen on the Lilla Teatern website: Saara Turunen sculpts the performanceHyena Days, premiere 11.9.2025 at Lilla Teatern, Yrjönkatu 30, Helsinki.
Ticket price: normal price €43, student price €21.50 (Mon-Thu), pensioner price €40 (Mon-Thu). #hyenansdagar @lilla.teatern @hktfi
Helsinki City Theatre’s customer service is available by phone (09) 3940 22 Mon-Fri 10-17. Ticket office on First Line 2, Mon-Fri at noon. 12-17, Djurgårdsvägen 5, Sat (performance days) at 11-18.30 and one hour before the performances start. Lippu.fi, Mon-Sat at. 9-19, Sun kl. 12-16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge/mta) www.hkt.fi
Pictured in the press release: Katja Küttner, Pia Runnakko, Alexander Wendelin, Kreeta Salminen and Elmer Bäck. Photo: Mitro Härkönen and Otto Donner.
Further information, press tickets and interview requests:
Lilla Teatern, Communications Planner Ida Virkkunen, ida.virkkunen@lillateatern.fi, 050 357 4250
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Saara Turunen’s new novelty premieres at Lilla TeaternLilla Teatern’s autumn season starts on 11 September, when Hyenans dagar , written and directed by Saara Turunen, will have its Swedish premiere. The book is partly based on her novel Hyena Days (Jan 2024) and it deals with the journey towards parenthood through fertility treatments.
What happens when life doesn’t obey the script? Hyenans dagar depicts one woman’s experiences, but at the same time it opens up social issues, such as embodiment, the blurring of the line between private and public, and the culture of coping.
In the performance, Turunen continues to examine the status of women, a theme that often recurs in her works.
“I want to leave openness in the work and let the viewers make their own interpretations, but above all, I hope that people can enjoy it. The play combines music and visuality in a way that is characteristic of my works,” says Turunen.
Saara Turunen (b. 1981) is an award-winning author and theatre maker who has gained recognition both in Finland and internationally. He is known for his four novels and his work in the theatre. Turunen’s work has been translated into several languages and performed around the world. Now, for the first time, his work will be performed in Swedish. Turunen has been awarded the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize (2015) and the Finland Prize (2016).
Cast: Kreeta Salminen, Elmer Bäck, Katja Küttner, Pia Runnakko and Alexander Wendelin.
Text and direction Saara Turunen, translation Kasimir Koski, set design Milja Aho, costume design Liisa Pesonen, video and lighting design Ainu Palmu, sound design Tuuli Kyttälä, camouflage design Jaana Nykänen. Choreography Janina Rajakangas.
The language of the performance is Swedish. The performance will be subtitled in Finnish and Swedish via the Subtitle Mobile mobile application.
Read the director’s interview on Lilla Teatern’s website: Saara Turunen carves out the performanceHyenans dagar, premiere 11.9.2025 Lilla Teatern, Yrjönkatu 30, Helsinki.
Tickets: basic ticket €43, student ticket €21.50 (Mon-Thu), pensioner ticket €40 (Mon-Thu). #hyenansdagar @lilla.teatern @hktfi
Helsinki City Theatre’s ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 394022 Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket offices Ensi linja 2, Mon-Fri 12-17, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (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 of the press release: Katja Küttner, Pia Runnakko, Alexander Wendelin, Kreeta Salminen and Elmer Bäck. Photo: Mitro Härkönen and Otto Donner.
Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Lilla Teatern, Communications Planner Ida Virkkunen, ida.virkkunen@lillateatern.fi, 050 357 4250