WORKS
GO!
my role: dramaturg
(dance/budo performance)
Contemporary dance and martial arts meet in GO an exploration of the links between bodywork and the energy of karate as a source of inspiration for choreographic creation. In this duet, the dancers Ville Oinonen and Youri de Gussem explore a form of movement where these two universes become complementary. Our research deals with the questions of exploring the relationships to the body, to movements, to energy, to gravity and to the tradition that these two arts have in common. The final aim of the project is to create a play for young audiences.
Chorégraphie : Jennifer Gohier
En collaboration avec les interprètes : Youri de Gussem & Ville Oinonen
Partenaires et soutiens : TROIS C-L Centre de Création Chorégraphique luxembourgeois – Jojo oulu Dance Center, Finlande – Centre Culturel Pablo Picasso, Homécourt – Théâtre d’Esch/Alzette – Lycée Vauban, Luxembourg, Région Grand Est
Corps In Situ 2022
Ennuste, negatiivinen
my role: director - dramaturg
(site-spesific performance)
”Grus Grus Teatteri's adaptation of Kyrklund's short story is genius..." - Anna-Christine Snickars, Åbo Underrättelse
A moving performance in a city bus that was turned into a field hospital. Based on a short story by Willy Kyrklund "Prognos, negativ".
Directors: Ville Kurki and Sofia Molin
Dramaturgs: Ville Kurki, Sofia Molin, and Petri Tuominen
Perfomers: Ville Oinonen, Ishmael Falke, Janna Haavisto, Sandrina Lindgren, Petri Tuominen
Sound design: Kalle Terästö
Costum design: Amita Kilumanga
Choreographic consultation: Sandrina Lindgren
Original text, Willy Kyrklund's short story ”Prognos, negativ”
In the co-operation University of Turku, Faculty of Medicin and TYKS Neurokeskus – ÅUCS Neurocentrum.
Bi-lingual: Finnish and Swedish
Production: Henkinen lentoyhtiö – Grus Grus Teatteri 2021
Nainen katoaa
my role: director - dramaturg
(psychedelic drama)
”Is it possible for this buzz to pass through structures? Do the walls of this theater occasionally sparkle with electricity of audience's brains and do the the heads of the people on the street turn because of that?" - Yökukkujan sekalaiset -blogger portraying her experience in the audience
A psychedelic thiller comedy about loosing sense of reality, self and the other.
Director: Ville Kurki
Playwright: Sophie Lannefranque
Dramaturg: Ville Kurki with help from Sofia Molin
Translation FRE -> FI (orig. Title Bonsaï): Ville Kurki
Perfomers: Pauli Porane, Thomas Dellinger, and Sofia Molin
Sound design: Kalle Terästö
Lights: Irene Lehtonen
Costum design: Timo Tamminen
Set design: Timo Tamminen and Ville Kurki
Production: Henkinen lentoyhtiö – Grus Grus Teatteri 2021
VÄISTÄMÄTÖN – OUNDVIKLIG
my role: dramaturg
(object theater)
A one hundred year time travel with collapsing object chain-reaction. This is an object theatre piece par excellence; an experience in which the objects guide people through history. Väistämätön – Oundviklig is an artwork about our history-sense. With this ability, we are able to sense the movement of time and the changes in life.
This piece is built at the maritime museum of Turku, Forum Marinumin.
5.–29.11.2020
On stage: Janna Haavisto, Sandrina Lindgren and about 300 objects.
Concept and direction: Ishmael Falke
Scenographer: Johanna Latvala
Dramaturg: Ville Kurki
Sound design: Niklas Nybom
Light design: Jarkko Forsman
Graphic design and photos: Jussi Virkkumaa
Production: Grus Grus Teatteri
Marketing: Pia Puustelli
Bi-langual: Finnish and Swedish
Production: Henkinen lentoyhtiö – Grus Grus Teatteri 2021
KÄRRINGMOSSEN
my role: dramaturg
(physical theater piece)
Kärringmossen mixes physical theatre, clowning, and acting. It is inspired by the bouffon-technique – a special kind of clowning where grotesque characters deal with injustice and hypocrisy in a shameless manner. Through mockery, the “ugly”, almost mythical creatures attract us – “the beautiful people”– to laughter and dismay.
The performance will have it´s premiere at Åbo Svenska Teater (Turku Swedish Theatre), whereafter it will tour at Red Pearls women’s clown festival 2020 and in the repertoire of Teatteri Avoimet Ovet (Helsinki). The performance tours on different venues in Finnish or in Swedish.
Director: Sofia Molin
Dramaturg: Ville Kurki
Text: Sofia Molin, devising with the working group
On stage: Cris af Enehielm and Janna Haavisto
Choreography: Sandrina Lindgren
Sound design: Kalle Terästö
Visual design: Johanna Latvala
Light design: Jarkko Forsman
Photos: Jussi Virkkumaa
Producer: Leo van Aerschot and Marjo Pyykönen
Production Grus Grus Teatteri 2020
FULL MEASURES
my role: dramaturg
(object theater piece)
A chance meeting in a chaotic world of constant change. A couple unites in an attempt to measure, map out and define each other. Measuring has become an integral part of our existence. Do we still measure to improve our lives, or have the roles changed – do we now live to measure more effectively?
Full Measures is a trio for puppet artist, dancer and measure sticks.
Concept, direction and performance: Ishmael Falke and Sandrina Lindgren
Guest director: Idit Herman
Dramaturg: Ville Kurki
Production: Grus Grus Teatteri and TEHDAS TEATTERI - production 2019
REQUIEM FOR VACUUM CLEANING
my role: dramaturg
(dance performance)
Vacuuming, dancing and choral singing are mixed in a visual, musical and dynamically captivating tribute to one of our most hated household chores. The performance is part of the project The Household Dance Protocol (HDP), which during the last two years has examined the relationship between dance and everyday movements.
Orig. title "Sielunmessu pölynimurille", Choreograpfy Sandrina Lindgren
Grus Grus Teatteri production in co-operation Barker Teatteri, 2019
Viimeinen pisara
my role: director- dramaturg
(contemporary circus)
director-dramaturg
"There is something truly boarder breaking in this performance. We are able to see people both as individuals and as mass with a stunning force." Ann-Christine Snickars, ÅU
Viimeinen pisara (The Last Drop) is a visual theater piece made with 9 young circus artists. In the core of the performance, there is a look the human potential. The world around us is collapsing yet there's a place for pride, beauty and strive forward.
Orig. title "Viimeinen pisara", directed together with Janna Haavisto
Grus Grus Teatteri produced this performance with Turku City Theater and Turku Polytechnic Arts Academy, Circus department, 2018
Huviretki tienpientarelle, Stalker
my role: dramaturg - performer
(site-psesific solo performance)
Thalia Prize 2019, awarded by the TINFO (Theatre Info Finland)
"Grus Grus Teatteri's Roadside Picnic is an immersive performance for all senses (...) You won't leave this picnic behind with a shrug - and that if something is a sign of good theater." -Irmeli Haapanen, TS
An adaptation of the sci-fi classic "Roadside Picnic" by the Russian authors Arkady and Boris Strugatsky.
In the role of a "Stalker" I took the audience to a concrete and mental journey to a mystic "zone" where aliens may have visited and where peoples' deepest wishes may come true.
Orig. title "Huviretki tienpientarelle", director: Tommi Silvennoinen
Location, outdoors Turku city area
Production: Grus Grus Teatteri 2018
Koivuhiiri ja päästäinen
my role: director - dramaturg
(visual children's theater with live drawing)
Childrens' theater innovation prize ITU 2018.
"A lovestory that charms line by line."-Anniina Karhu, TS
“Koivuhiiri ja päästäinen” is based on the author Esko-Pekka Tiitinen’s Finnish-language picture book “Onnen omat”, as well as the music play created in collaboration with composer Kaj Chydenius.
On stage, acting, singing and drawing: Sofia Molin
Dramaturg and director: Ville Kurki
Bi-langual: Finnish and Swedish versions
Production: ITU-lastenteatterin ideahautomo, City Theater of Turku and Grus Grus Teatteri, 2018
KATSURO
my role: director - dramaturg
(drama with martial arts elements)
"Every time period has its own Katsuro." -Päivi Kuokkanen, YS
"Katsuro" based on a Finnish folk tale and the play "Kullervo" by Aleksis Kivi
A story of a self-destructive young man Kullervo has always interested me. This was my second version from the same play. This time in my adaptation the play took place in samurai Japan, not in the backwoods of ancient Finland. A big part in the realization of this production was budo training with the actors. Especially we practiced aikido which I myself have been training intensively over a decade.
Production: Ahaa Teatteri, Tampere 2017
HUMAN OBSERVATIONS
my role: artistic dialogist
(co-operation with a fine artist and dancers)
This was fine artist Tomas Regan's project to combine movement and pictures. I worked as a dramaturg and dialogist to find ways to use space and time in "Taidesalonki" -gallery where they had both Regan's art work and dancers during an exhibition. The dancers were models for drawings and paintings presented in the gallery and there for the process was rather long, slow and interesting. Most importantly I worked with the whole group helping them to find a common language.
Location Taidesalonki Gallery, Helsinki 2017
HAMLET, koko totuus
my role: director - dramaturg
(non-linear site-spesific adaption of Hamlet)
"Four groups, with four different experiences of the same play, in one of the most ingeniously choreographed, and moving, Hamlets I have ever seen." - Nely Keinänen, bloggingshakespeare.com
"Hamlet, The Whole Truth" was a non-linear play based on William Shakespeare's orginal work. The audience wandered around an authentic medieval castle and met characters from the play. Technics of performing included mime, puppetry and acting.
Director: Ville Kurki
Dramaturgy (based on William Shakespear's Hamlet): Ville Kurki and the working group)
Finnish translation: Matti Rossi
Performers: Jaakko Ohtonen, Sofia Molin, Ishmael Falke, Markku Tuulenkari, Janna Haavisto, sirkustaiteilija, Jarno Sakki
Extraspecials: Iiris Aholainen, Teppo Heikkilä, Karoliina Honkanen, Anne Kankare, Henri Keränen, Venla Kinnunen, Niina Laine, Mimi Mylly, Pirita Pennanen, Johanna Stauffer, Venla Stång, Christiine Salminen
Lights: Jarkko Forsman
Sound: Kalle Terästö
Director's assistant: Petri Tuominen
Marketing: Marcus Linden
Orig. title "Hamlet, koko totuus" was staged in a medieval castle in Turku, Finland
Production: Grus Grus Teatteri, 2016
Svarta rummets fjäril
my role: director - dramaturg
(visual post drama)
"Suspense in 'Svarta rummets fjäril' is built with projections that Janna Haavisto and Sofia Molin are drawing on stage in real time."-Isabella Rothberg, Hbl
A visual dystopian post drama with two women trapped in black box theater with their fears and fading faith in humanity.
In this production the actors draw images and forms live on stage and on themselves through a projection system which we developed especially for this play. Later we refined this technique in a children's play "The Birchmouse and the Shrew".
Production: Grus Grus Teatteri and Svenska Teatern in Helsinki, 2014
Q.2 FUTURUM IN MEMORIAM
my role: directoer - dramaturg
(science fiction in a botanic garde)
"There are wonderful moments when time stands still, when you can simply do nothing (but maybe listen to your own inner state and consciousness), we busy modern people notice these precious moments all too rarely."-Anniina Karhu, TS
A sci-fi play in which we transformed a botanic garden into a space station. The main idea is that when people away plants capture the consciousness in fragments. The audience of the play were treated as test subjects of the characters in the story. The scenario was inspired by Stanislav Lem's novel "Solaris".
director: Ville Kurki
dramaturgy and setting: Ville Kurki, Ishmael Falke, and Sofia Molin
Performers: Janna Haavisto, Sofia Molin, Markkku Tuulenkari, and Sofia Molin
Sound: Niklas Nybom
Lights: Jarkko Forsman
location: Botanic Garden of Turku University
Production: Tehdas Teatteri with University of Turku, 2014
SEBASTIAN
my role: dramaturg
(dance performance)
A hommage to a late dancer Sebastian Kaatrasalo.
Performer and choreographer: Sulevi Sihvola
Dramaturg: Ville Kurki
Lights: Sari Mayer
Sound: Niko Huttunen
Production: Tanssiteatteri MD, 2014
Valtava yksiö
my role: director - dramaturg
(physical theater piece)
director - dramaturg
"This is one of the best performances in the city Tampere this autumn." -Markus Määttänen, AL
A physical theater performance about divorce with a dancer and a clown.
Parts of the performance were filmed as part of a television talk show called "Eroilta" (eng. "Divorce Night") produced by national broadcasting company YLE.
Production: Tampereen Teatteri and Grus Grus Teatteri, 2013
Persona
my role: director - dramaturg
(film adaptation on stage)
"I felt dizzy as I witnessed the strangeness of human nature as did the fictional characters played by actors. The unraveling of secrets doesn't diminish the mystery, no it makes more dense." -Maria Säkö, Helsingin Sanomat
Ingmar Bergman's Persona is propably his most experimental film. This is the only film adaptation I have ever made for stage.
Director: Ville Kurki
Translation SWE -> FI: Sofia Molin and Ville Kurki
Actors: Sofia Molin and Minna Hämäläinen, Monica Nyman, Stefan Karlsoon, Elemeri Karlsson, Mikeal Boelen and Joonatan Salmi
Lights: Jouni Haavisto
Sound: Kalle Terästö
Animations: Virpi Kettu
Producers: Leo Van Aeschot ja Ville Kurki
Production: Ådo Svenska Teater,Grus Grus Teatteri and City theater of Turku, 2013
Pikku prinssi
my role: director - dramaturg
(visual childrens' play)
"Makes you stop and ponder what is really important in life." -Irmeli Haapanen, TS
A group of theater makers processed Saint Exupery’s “The Little Prince” to the stage. On the way, a second performance evolved – the Big Prince. While the Little Prince presented contemporary theatre’s loyal interpretation (including circus, puppetry and physical acting) to the original text, it’s little-big brother became into what could not be shown and told to the kids. This time not because it would scare the kids, but because we the adults are too scared to see it. The theatre of adulthood – to whom do we perform the role of adults, why are we trying to look reasonable?
I made my own translation of "The Little Prince" from French to Finnish.
Direction and adaptation: Ville Kurki
Translation FRE ->FI : Ville Kurki
Performers: Ishmael Falke, Janna Haavisto, Sofia Molin and Markku Tuulenkari
Sound: Kalle Terästö
Lights: Jarkko Forsman
Production: City Theater of Turku and Tehdas Teatteri, 2011
Iso prinssi - K18
my role: director - dramaturg
(comedy about group therapy)
"The Big Prince - age limit 18 is a hilarious performance that laughs at adult's pseudo rationality."-Irmeli Haapanen, TS
A Double Sided Tale of Children and Adults
A group of adult theater makers processed Saint Exupery’s “The Little Prince” to the stage. On the way, a second performance evolved – the Big Prince. While the Little Prince presented contemporary theatre’s loyal interpretation (including circus, puppetry and physical acting) to the original text, it’s little-big brother became into what could not be shown and told to the kids. This time not because it would scare the kids, but because we the adults are too scared to see it. The theatre of adulthood – to whom do we perform the role of adults, why are we trying to look reasonable?
Director - dramaturg: Ville Kurki
Translation FRE ->FI : Ville Kurki
Performers: Ishmael Falke, Janna Haavisto, Sofia Molin and Markku Tuulenkari
Sound: Kalle Terästö
Lights: Jarkko Forsman
Production: City Theater of Turku and Tehdas Teatteri, 2011
Turistit
my role: director
(comical poetic play about being lost)
This play caused a local "cultural war" in Rovaniemi Lapland where it was staged in the city theater's big hall. The play was said to be elitist and difficult, others said it was funny and thought provoking. Turism is extremely important for the local economy at Rovaniemi.
Project included my translation from the text from French to Finnish.
Written by Sophie Lannefranque,
Production Rovaniemen Teatteri 2011
Järjen päivät - elintasomusikaali
my role: director - dramaturg
(living standard musical)
"Human body's response to society" - Pertti Julkunen, Uutispäivä Demari
In Finland there is a well known commercial event of a popular department store called "The Grazy Days". This piece was produced with Tanssiteatteri MD, which is in the city of Tampere is located on the same street as this department store.
Production: Tanssiteatteri MD and Grus Grus Teatteri, 2009
HUGO SIMBERG'S WINGS
director - playwright
"This is the best play I have ever seen." Pekka Laiho, actor
I could say this play started my professional career. We toured with it six years in Finland and abroad, from 2007-2013. This was also the first production of Grus Grus Teatteri, a company founded originally to administrate the tour of this project.
Hugo Simberg was a Finnish symbolist painter who died 1907. He is still one of the most beloved fine artist in Finland to date. He had a unique sense of humor and was famous from his sympathetic devil characters. It is a truly strange affair in history when he was given the liberty to decorate the chathedral of Tampere as he pleased. Our play about him included animation, musical acts, contemporary dance and theater.
Orig. title. "Hugo Simbergin siivet", Grus Grus Teatteri, premier at Teatteri Telakka 2007
HELLppoo rahaa
my role: director - playwright
(drama)
"Addiction isn't the whole truth" -Maria Säkö, Helsingin Sanomat
I was asked by a Ahaa Teatteri, which is a professional theater specialized in youth and children's plays, to write and direct a about young people's internet gambling problems.
Ahaa Teatteri, Tampere 2009
Hugo Simbergin siivet
my role: director - playwright
(spectacle)
"This is the best play I have ever seen." Pekka Laiho, actor in Tamperelainen magazine
I could say this play started my professional career. We toured with it six years in Finland and abroad, from 2007-2013. This was also the first production of Grus Grus Teatteri, a company founded originally to administrate the tour of this project.
Hugo Simberg was a Finnish symbolist painter who died 1907. He is still one of the most beloved fine artist in Finland to date. He had a unique sense of humor and was famous from his sympathetic devil characters. It is a truly strange affair in history when he was given the liberty to decorate the chathedral of Tampere as he pleased. Our play about him included animation, musical acts, contemporary dance and theater.
Director - playwright: Ville Kurki
Hugo Simberg (and 10 other characters): Ville Majamaa
Other actors on video: Sari Majamaa, Maija-Liisa Majanlahti, Ola Tuominen
Animation: Virpi Kettu
Lights: Saija Nojonen
Sound: Kalle Terästö
Tour management: Leo Van Aerschot ja Ville Kurki
Grus Grus Teatteri, premier at Teatteri Telakka 2007
