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THE BLACK HEN
How come I can’t make my eggs into stars or moons or hearts? Who decides what’s pretty: are oval eggs the only right kind? For all ages, recommendation: 0-10 years
Running time at full length: 35 min.
Used language: Finnish, coming up also in Swedish “Den svarta hönan”. Performance does not require a clear understanding of Finnish or another language Once upon a time, on a farm in a flock of white chickens, there lives a black hen. She is a perfectly normal hen, but she lays strangely shaped eggs. Because of her unusual skill, the black hen is the unhappiest, least popular layer in the henhouse. But with the help of a clever hare, the bullied black hen receives a surprising invitation that the other chickens could only have dreamt of. The black hen finds happiness and takes her rightful place in the world. She learns to rely on her own skills and talents.
The script for this performance is based on the children’s book of the same name, published by Satusiivet. Puppet performance, script, production: Ilpo Mikkonen
Music: Bojan Baric, Ilpo Mikkonen Contact: Ilpo Mikkonen, pikkukulkuri@nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 40 749 0024 THE BOY OF THE CIRCUS For all ages, recommendation: 3–12 years
Running time at full length: 40 minutes Aukusti is born into the magical world of circus, but he doesn’t want to become a fire breather like his father and grandfather because he is afraid of fire. Instead of growing up, Aukusti begins to shrink! Aukusti is trying hard to establish his own identity, and one day he hears a sound that changes everything. The themes of the performance revolve around fears of childhood, growing up and independence. Performed by Ilpo Mikkonen
Adaptation and direction by Iida Vanttaja Reservations: Ilpo Mikkonen, pikkukulkuri (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. 040 749 0024 THE DRAGON PRINCESS For all ages, recommendation: 0-10 years
Running time at full length: 30 min.
Used language: Finnish Performance does not require a clear understanding of Finnish or another language In China, dragons are honoured and worshipped, because they are believed to have the power to control the wind and rain. The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea lives on a mountaintop with his young daughter, the Dragon Princess Cai Xian. One day, the Dragon King grows angry and closes up his palace to sulk. A drought threatens to kill off everything on Earth, as the Dragon King simply snores away behind closed doors. Fortunately, the young, curious Dragon Princess decides to save mankind.
This performance is an adaptation of an ancient Chinese folk tale.
Workshop: In the Dragon Princess rod puppet workshop, participants can make their own Dragon King or Dragon Princess. This workshop is suitable for the whole family, including small children attending with their parents. Directed by: Oili Sadeoja
Puppet performance, script, puppets, scenery and lighting: Teija Muurinen Contact: Teija Muurinen, teatterihelmi (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 44 558 3660 JYKSERGE THE SWAN-BOY
This performance enchants the viewer with its poetic rearch and its world view that respects all living things. -Kirsikka Moring, Mayatul VIII Theatre Festival- For all ages, recommendation: over 5 years
Running time at full length: 40 min.
Used language: Finnish Performance does not require a clear understanding of Finnish or another language An elderly couple have longed for a child of their own for many years. Finally, their wish comes true when the fairy godmothers send them a child from the Milky Way: Jyksege the Swan-Boy. Jykserge, with his white wings, is half boy and half swan. He grows and can lift up in the air, but he cannot learn to speak humans’ language. Jykserge’s father gives him tasks which he performs with great resourcefulness – because Jykserge can understand the language of the animals and nature.
The foundation for this performance is the magical belief of ancient Finno-Ugric tribes in the interconnectedness of all living things.
Workshop: In this workshop, you can make shadows on a big screen using your own body and shadow theatre puppets. Some members of the group can make music on the instruments used in the performance. Directed by: Oili Sadeoja
Performers: Anne Lihavainen, Teija Muurinen
Lighting design: Anne Lihavainen, Teija Muurinen
Sound design: Anne Lihavainen, Teija Muurinen
Puppets and set design: Heini Maaranen Contact:
Anne Lihavainen, ofelia (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 40 718 6674 or
Teija Muurinen, teatterihelmi (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 44 558 3660 THE KESUKKA FROM MUOTKA MOUNTAIN
On a night of a shooting star under the bright Northern Lights, the girl and the Kesukka were born. Touched by a comet. This began a special friendship and a meeting of two hearts. For all ages, recommendation: 0-10 years
Running time at full length: 35 min.
Used language: Finnish Performance does not require a clear understanding of Finnish or another language One day at the foot of Muotka Mountain, some strange things happen. The elf children run off from home, causing a chaos around them. Mother Reindeer gets into difficulty when the Mother Elf kidnaps her to become the elf children’s babysitter. The girl and her friend, a tame reindeer, embark on an adventure that requires trust and courage.
Kesukka is a word from the Sami language that refers to a tame reindeer. This performance features the elves’ language. Workshop available: Participants can make their own shadow puppet: a little elf. In this workshop, you can try out performing with a shadow puppet on a real shadow puppet stage. Performers: Anne Lihavainen, Teija Muurinen
Company: Bojan Baric, Anne Lihavainen, Teija Muurinen, Veijo Lindell and Kirsti Huuhka
Music: Salla-Marja Hätinen Contact: Anne Lihavainen, ofelia (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 40 718 6674
Teija Muurinen, teatterihelmi (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 44 558 3660 LITTLE SAMPSA PELLERVOINEN For all ages, recommendation: 3 year and over,
Running time at full length: 30 minutes. This charming puppet fairy tale is based on the Kalevala tales about the birth of Väinämöinen, and about little Sampsa Pellervoinen who sows seeds into an empty and barren land and makes the beautiful Finnish forests grow. A little fairy from a Land Far Away has the seeds for the trees, and the fairy is brought to help Sampsa by Sotka. Performed by Teija Muurinen Contact: Teija Muurinen, teatterihelmi@nukketeatterikeskus.fi MAUNU AND THE EMPEROR For all ages
Running time at full length: 25 minutes The whole town is getting ready for the visit of Alexander I. The imperial cooks are also arriving with the Emperor, and their mission is to prepare a banquet – but unfortunately things are not going as planned. The banquet is in danger of being ruined, and a savior is badly needed. Who is the hero of the day? Manuscript, setup, puppets and performance: Anne Lihavainen
Music: Arto Kylmänen Contact: Anne Lihavainen, ofelia (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi OFELIA AND THE THEATRE OF SHADOWS For all ages, recommendation: over 5 years and senior citizens
Running time at full length: 45 min
Used language: Finnish Performance does not require a clear understanding of Finnish or another language Miss Ofelia is an old lady who has worked as a prompter in the theatre for all of her life. One sad day the theatre is closed down, and Ofelia is left without a job. As this soulful old lady says farewell to the theatre, she meets a homeless shadow and takes it under her wing. This is the beginning of the Theatre of Shadows, the biggest adventure of Ofelia’s life. Director, set design: Iida Vanttaja
Performers: Anne Lihavainen, Teija Muurinen
Sound design: Iida Vanttaja and Miksa Koponen
Lighting: Miksa Koponen Contact: Anne Lihavainen, ofelia (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 40 718 6674 or
Teija Muurinen, teatterihelmi (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 44 558 3660 A VISIT OF THE MARIONETTES
I’m not just fascinated by the fact that the puppets are old; it’s more that they bear the marks of living their lives. They are the result of something that’s required a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Their charm conceals centuries of product development.
-Bojan Baric, Teatterilehti magazine- For all ages, recommendation: over 3 years
Running time at full length: 35-60 min.
Performance does not require a clear understanding of Finnish or another language The puppets in this performance are antique variety show marionettes. They were made by master puppeteer JosefVitek, who is considered to be the Stradivarius of the puppet world. A Visit of the Marionettes honours the old Central European tradition of marionette theatre. There are only a few puppet artists in the world who perform with marionettes. A Visit from the Marionettes presents a collection of circus artistes, dancers and musicians performing to musical accompaniment. The marionettes come to life on stage. Each gets its own moment in the spotlight, with music, dance, song and circus tricks. Director, puppet performance, script, lighting and music: Bojan Baric
Puppets: Josef Vitek Contact: Bojan Baric, bojan.baric (at) nukketeatterikeskus.fi, tel. +358 500 642399 |
