Zone Malmi performance transforms the urban environment into a game board

Zone Malmi is the 2023 premiere of the Helsinki City Theatre’s regional Malmi in the Main Role art project. The performance will take place in the urban space of Malmi and the audience will be able to participate in a work that follows the dramaturgy of the game. The performance, which premieres at Malmi on 8 June, reflects on what kind of districts we would like to live in in the future and what kind of building blocks everyday happiness consists of.

Zone Malmi is a theatrical performance that utilizes gamified elements and is based on the building blocks of everyday happiness and the pursuit of a good life. Where does the route of the performance wind on the Malmi game board? Which number of the dice leads to luck, which leads to bad luck? And where does the power lie? What makes Malmi a home? The text of the performance and the music heard in the performance have been created in workshops with city residents who participated in the Main Role in Malmi project. The performers are residents aged 13–70 in Malmi and the surrounding areas.

“We have been on the verge of Malmi and the city, exploring the theme together. Zone Malmi is a work based on the participants’ own experiences, which reflects on the starting points of a good life. The performance has been dressed up in the form of a game, because Malmi, with its many faces, tempted us to play with its urban environment,” says director Laura Ikonen.

The performance has been carried out in cooperation with local parties. The activities have been supported and the facilities have been made possible by the Urban Living Room Kohtaus Malmi, Leikkiväki ry, the Malmin Nova shopping centre, the Helsinki residents’ house Malmi and two housing companies located in Malmi, Lyylinlinna and Armonlinna.

“Preparing the performance has been our common goal, which has allowed us to get to know wonderful local actors and personalities that are more interesting than each other, without thinking about age or life situation,” Ikonen adds.

The performance is part of the Helsinki City Theatre’s Audience Outreach Malmi project, which implements region- and community-based theatre and art activities. In the main role, Malmi is one of the City of Helsinki’s Helsinki Model projects.

Zone Malmi performances on 8.6., 9.6., 12.6., 14.6., 15.6., 19.6. and 20.6. at 6 p.m. near Ylä-Malmi Market Square. More detailed arrival instructions when booking a seat. Admission to the performance is free. There are limited seats in the performance – seats must be booked in advance by email: paaroolissamalmi@hkt.fi. The duration is about 2 hours. In the performance, you walk outside in an urban space and the performance is not completely accessible.

Performers: Essi Evberg, Sara Hietarinta, Mari Ikonen, Elina Illikainen, Alex Kallio, Reetta Kankare, Peppi Kuisma, Ansa Moisio, Mari Mäki, Leena Männistö, Mr. Bob, Ilmari Pekkala, Janne Puustinen, Piia Rokosa, Jemina Salonen, Sirpa Savoranta, Liisa Syrjä, Emilia Tatti, Päivi Toivonen, Amanda Tran Minh, Eili Trotsak and Jonna Virtanen.

Music composition and lyrics: Mr. Bob, Alex Kallio, Rikhard Hedberg, Verna Ojanperä and Eili Trotsak.

Director: Laura Ikonen 
Script/dramaturgy: Janne Puustinen 
Sound design, music direction and music production: Aleksi Kinnunen 
Costumes/scenography: Fiona Timantti 
Graphic design: Malmi Vice
Production: Jenny Jumppanen 

@paaroolissamalmi www.facebook.com/paaroolissamalmi www.hkt.fi/paaroolissamalmi

Press release photo: Malmi Vice

Further information:
Jenny Jumppanen, audience worker, paaroolissamalmi@hkt.fi, 040 6529 932