The new generation of Fanny and Alexander is a family drama starring top actors

Dramatised and directed by Paavo Westerberg, Fanny and Alexander will premiere on the big stage of the Helsinki City Theatre on 17 November. The play, which is partly based on Ingmar Bergman’s semi-biographical masterpiece Fanny and Alexander (1982), follows the lives of the Ekdahl theatre family and the family of Bishop Edvard Vergerus. The role of Fanny is played by Elena Leeve and Alexander is played by Olavi Uusivirta.

Alexander and his younger sister Fanny live their happy childhood in Sweden in the early 1900s among a colourful and bohemian theatre family, until their father dies and their mother Emilie remarries the priest Edvard Vergerus. Emilie thinks she’ll have a happy new family, but the new man turns out to be a fearsome tyrant who targets Alexander in particular for his cruel use of power. Fanny and Alexander’s vivid imagination helps them survive and see things that others can’t.

"It is an epic symphony in which the most important questions of life, the questions of love and death, are dealt with within the framework of family, childhood and theatre. Fanny and Alexander is probably Bergman’s most hopeful work. This story offers a fantastic world and characters, the richness and credibility of life emerges. The play is about childhood, family, theatre, the problems of a reconstituted family, and at the same time also about these eternal questions, life’s greatest mysteries, love and death, in a relatable and beautiful way. What do we believe in in our most difficult moments?”, director Paavo Westerberg describes .

Fanny and Alexander brings to the stage a mythical and imaginative world where colourful characters and powerful family drama meet carnivalesque stage fantasy. There will be an empowering growth story that instils faith in survival and is full of vitality.

“What speaks to me in this time is the beauty of this work, which does not shy away from pain and the true tones of life, but which reminds us of the incredible power of love and community,” Westerberg says.

In addition to Elena Leeve and Olavi Uusivirta , the cast includes Eero Aho (Edvard Vergerus), Anna-Maija Tuokko (Emilie), Rea Mauranen, Rauno Ahonen, Veera Anttila, Helena Haaranen, Pekka Huotari, Sanna-June Hyde, Santeri Kinnunen, Jouko Klemettilä, Jari Pehkonen, Emmi Pesonen, Leena Rapola, Raili Raitala and Aino Seppo. 

The set design of the work was designed by Antti Mattila, the costumes by Anna Sinkkonen and the camouflage by Jaana Nykänen. The lighting design is by William Iles and the sound design is by Jaakko Virmavirta. The composition and sound design are by Sanna Salmenkallio .  

Read the interview with Paavo Westerberg on the theatre’s website: A classic coming-of-age story and an epic symphony

Fanny and Alexander premieres on 17.11.2022 on the big stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5). Tickets: student ticket 23 € (Mon-Thu), pensioner ticket 43 € (Mon-Thu), basic ticket 46 €

Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 3940 22 Mon–Fri 9 am–5.30 pm. Ticket offices First Line 2, Mon–Fri 11 am–5.30 pm, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (on performance days) 11 am–6 pm and always one hour before the performance, and Lippupiste, Mon–Sat 9 am–9 pm, Sun 10 am–6 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (€2/min + local network charge) www.hkt.fi #fannyjaalexander @hktfi

Press photos can be found in the image bank and press releases in the newsroom.

Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:

Kaisa Pelkonen, Communications Manager, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788

Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja, 00530 Helsinki