The Snow Queen is a story of friendship, courage and surpassing oneself
This year’s Christmas play The Snow Queen by the Helsinki City Theatre and the Shed musical theatre group for children and young people is a new Finnish musical version of H.C. Andersen’s classic story. The play will premiere at Studio Pasila on 2 December. Vappu Nalbantoglu will be seen as the Snow Queen, and Shed’s children and young people will shine in the other roles.
The Snow Queen, dramatised by Janne Puustinen, is an adventure story set in wintery Helsinki, which tells of friendship, courage and surpassing oneself. The children and young people of the Shed theatre group have been involved in influencing the script.
“Christmas is approaching and that means that a year’s work with Shed will culminate in another Christmas musical. The Snow Queen is a fresh reinterpretation of H.C. Andersen’s classic, where friendship and adventure take centre stage. On stage, you will see the energy created by the cooperation between Shed youth and HKT professionals. A winter fairy tale also brings a guaranteed Christmas spirit,” says Heikki Sankari, the director of the play.
The roles are played by more than 80 children and young people from Shed. The Snow Queen is played by Vappu Nalbantoglu.
“I have been completely amazed by the motivation, skill and dedication of children and young people to the magic of theatre. I’ve also been wonderfully included. The children have even given me support instruction in the Christmas dance choreography of the final number, because it has had its own quirks for a first-timer. It’s extremely fun to be part of this joyful group!”, Vappu Nalbantoglu rejoices.
The play is written by Janne Puustinen and directed by Heikki Sankari. The conductor is Tuomas Kesälä, who has also composed the music for the work together with Aleksi Kinnunen. The costumes are designed by Laura Dammert and the camouflage by Henri Karjalainen. The scenography is by William Iles, the lighting design by Teppo Saarinen and the sound design by Jaakko Mäkinen. The dramaturg is Henna Piirto. The teacher in charge of the Shed musical theatre is Hanna Nuorala and the teachers are Pauliina Aladin, Jyri Numminen and Pauliina Paasila.
The performance is suitable for the whole family from the age of 6.
The Shed Musical Theatre gives a variety of children and young people aged 10–19 the opportunity to engage in and make Christmas 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, which supports diverse child and youth work that takes special needs children into account.
Read an interview with young people involved in Shed musical theatre activities on the theatre’s website: The Snow Queen reflects Shed’s values
Watch the musical’s teaser video: The Snow Queen teaserSnow Queen premieres on 2.12.2023 at 12 noon and 6 p.m. and performances until 16.12.2023 at the Helsinki City Theatre’s studio Pasila (Ratamestarinkatu 5).
Tickets: children’s ticket €19 and basic ticket €39 #lumikuningatar @hktfi @ShedHelsinki
Helsinki City Theatre’s ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 394022 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket offices First line 2, Mon-Fri 12-17, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (on performance days) 11-18 and one hour before the performance and Lippu.fi, Mon-Sat 9-21, Sun 10-18, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge) www.hkt.fi
In the photo: Vappu Nalbantoglu. Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen.
Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Kaisa Pelkonen, Communications Manager, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki