Shed Musical Theatre’s Peter Pan flies into the modern and rough modern age
The young people of the Helsinki City Theatre and the Shed musical theatre groupinvite the audience to join them in an adventure where the classic fairy tale Peter Pan gets a modern and surprising look. Themusical collaboration, which has become a beloved tradition, will premiere at Studio Pasila 2. and 3. December. The roles are played by the young people of Shed and actress Helena Haaranen, who has had a 50-year career in HKT.
In this year’s Shed Christmas musical, Inspector Tiger Lily has been given the task of investigating the strange disappearance of the Kultanen family’s siblings. Peter Pan, who does not want to grow up, flies in through the window of the children’s room at night and takes the children with him to the wonderful Neverland, where lost children and pirates fight for control of a magical fairytale land. The new dramatization, adapted from the Chickenshed Theatre (UK) version, brings the classic fairy tale closer to the present day, but retains the familiar reflection of Peter Pan: is growing up really as necessary as is often claimed? “At the Shed, you don’t just prepare for a performance, but the theatre hobby gives you the keys to life! The fact that diverse young people get to meet each other in a safe environment and work on a common project in a long-term and purposeful way enables so many encounters and learning moments that the finished performance is only a small part of the reward that this hobby gives young people,” says director Jyri Numminen.The role of Peter Pan is alternated between Zoë Palosaari and Hertta Viksten.
“It’s really wonderful to be able to do this Peter Pan production! I especially like that it’s not quite a traditional interpretation, but a new and more modern version of the classic story. What has particularly stuck in my mind is that we all do this work together and that we have an atmosphere where you dare to be present and try new things,” Palosaari describes. Viksten continues: “I think the topics dealt with in this musical, such as friendship, sibling relationships and the versatility of parenthood, are really important topics. Lots of good music and great scenes! Shedi is wonderful, it’s awesome when everyone gets to do it together and it definitely shows on stage.”A total of 76 young people from Shed will be seen on stage. Captain Hook is played by Helena Haaranen, who has had a 50-year career as a dancer and actress at the Helsinki City Theatre. Haaranen is also a veteran of Peter Pan, as Leena in that play was his first role on stage (SKT 1969). Haaranen also participated in HKT’s 1984 Peter Pan as Tiger Lily.
The musical is arranged and directed by Jyri Numminen. The musical is composed by Dave Carey and Jo Collings, and the lyrics are written by Dave Carey and Paul Morrall. The translation is by Sami Parkkinen. The conductor is Tuomas Kesälä, who has also arranged the music. The costumes are designed by Laura Dammert, the camouflage by Henri Karjalainen and the set design by William Iles. The lighting design is by Teppo Saarinen and the sound design by Jaakko Virmavirta. The dramaturg is Sanna Niemeläinen. The teacher in charge of the Shed Music Theatre is Hanna Nuorala, the theatre teacher is Saija-Reetta Kotirinta, the singing teacher is Pauliina Paasila and the dance teacher is Moona Karhu.
The Shed Foundation’s musical theatre activities in cooperation with the Helsinki City Theatre give various children and young people aged 10–19 the opportunity to engage in and make musicals together with the professionals of the Helsinki City Theatre. The Shed musical theatre group practises theatre making, singing, dancing and acting. The activities are made possible by the Shed Foundation, established by Elisa in 2017, which supports diverse child and youth work that takes special needs children into account. In 2026, Shed musical theatre activities will celebrate their 10th anniversary. Shed’s first premiere was Peter Pan at the Alexander Theatre in 2016. The patron of the Shed musical theatre activities is Suzanne Innes-Stubb, spouse of the President of the Republic of Finland. Peter Pan premieres on 2 and 3 December 2025 at the Helsinki City Theatre’s studio in Pasila (Ratamestarinkatu 5). Tickets: basic ticket €39 and children’s ticket €19 #peterpan @hktfi @shedmusiikkiteatteri Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 3940 22 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket offices First line 2, Mon-Fri 12 noon-5 pm, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (on performance days) 11 am-6.30 pm and one hour before the performance and Lippu.fi, Mon-Sat 9 am-9 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/from min+local network charge) www.hkt.fi Photo: Kim SinisaloFurther information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:Communications Manager Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki