The City Theatre published its annual report for the exceptional year 2020 and looks forward to the autumn with optimism
Despite the coronavirus restrictions and interruptions in operations, the Helsinki City Theatre produced a total of 15 new premieres in 2020. A total of 106,906 spectators visited the theatre (2019: 305,568 spectators). In addition, a total of 14,420 people participated in various audience outreach events. In 2020, a total of 451 proposals were realised. Due to the coronavirus, a total of 347 performances and 139 audience outreach events had to be cancelled. In terms of ticket revenue, last year was historically low.
The Helsinki City Theatre’s Annual Report 2020 is available on the theatre’s website.
“I am very proud of the entire staff of the Helsinki City Theatre – the team spirit, responsibility and professionalism that have helped us get through this difficult year and have been able to ensure that we can offer our audience the best experiences next autumn safely and with high quality on all five of our stages. Hopefully, the disease situation and The instructions of the authorities allow performances,” says theatre director Kari Arffman.
“We have received a huge amount of encouragement from our audience during these strange times. As a thank you for all the support, support and patience, our staff prepared a video in which we welcome the audience to the theatre next autumn, with the tunes of the musical As It Is in Heaven . We are really looking forward to this encounter!”, says Kari Arffman.
On 26 August, the versatile programme of the autumn season on the big stage will be opened by a touching musical novelty that emphasises the power of community, directed by Jakob Höglund, who has been awarded as a reformer of musical theatre. The main roles are played by Tuukka Leppänen and Oona Airola.
The long wait will be rewarded when the fast-paced Tatu and Patu for the whole family in Helsinki finally premieres on the big stage on 7 September.
From 25 August, virtuoso veteran actors Santeri Kinnunen and Risto Kaskilahti will play the main roles of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the comedic Hound of the Baskervilles on the Arena stage. The other 34 roles in the play are handled with super-fast role changes by just three actors.
The Security Man, written and directed by Pasi Lampela, will premiere on 7 October on the Arena stage. The roles of the new Finnish comedy are played by Martti Suosalo and Katja Küttner.
The Finnish premieres of two strong dramas will be seen on the small stage: on 2 September, Bolla directed by Milja Sarkola, starring Samuli Niittymäki, Jessica Grabowky and Mikko Kauppila, and on 30 September, Lucy Kirkwood, starring three veteran actors, Jukka-Pekka Palo, Jaana Saarinen and Aino Seppo. Children. Studio Pasila’s new Finnish comedy novelty, Mikko Reitala’s Paahtimo, insightfully tackles current phenomena in working life under the direction of Sini Pesonen. Lilla Teatern’s autumn will open with Anna Takanen’s fine Sörjen som blev on 1 September. Lillan Teatern’s autumn season continues with Paavo Westerberg’s stage adaptation of the award-winning novel Den besynnerliga eventn med hunden om natten from 2 October.
Watch HKT’s staff’s Life Bears! video here.
Early autumn 2021 premieres at the Helsinki City Theatre
The Hound of the Baskervilles premieres 25.8.2021 on the Arena stage, dir. Sakari Hokkanen
As in Heaven premieres on 26.8.2021 on the big stage, dir. Jakob Höglund
The Grief that premiered 1.9.2021 at Lilla Teatern, dir. Mikaela Hásan
Bolla premiere 2.9.2021 on a small stage, dir. Milja Sarkola
Tatu and Patu in Helsinki premieres 7.9.2021 on the big stage, dir. Sami Rannila
Roastery premiere 8.9.2021 in Studio Pasila, dir. Sini Pesonen
Children premieres 30.9.2021 on a small stage, dir. Johanna Freundlich
The Strange Incident with the Dog at Night premiere 2.10.2021 Lilla Teaternissa, dir. Paavo Westerberg
The Security Guard premieres 7.10.2021 on the Arena stage, dir. Pasi Lampela
Returning to the programme in autumn 2021
Saikku, thank you! PART 3 from 14.9.2021 on the Arena stage, dir. Otto Kanerva
Colonel from 6.10.2021 on a small stage, dir. Susanna Airaksinen
Once from 13.9.2021 at Lilla Teatern, dir. Jakob Höglund
Helsinki City Theatre’s customer service and ticket sales by phone at 09 394022 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lippupiste Mon-Fri 9 am – 5 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge)
www.hkt.fi
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Press photos can be found in the image bank and press releases in the newsroom.
Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Helsinki City Theatre, Communications Manager Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Lilla Teatern, PR & Marketing, Ida Virkkunen ida.virkkunen@lillateatern.fi, 050 357 4250
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki