Routa Company THE WILD ONES

A gentle, playful journey and an unprecedented collaborative work

THE WILD ONES invites its audience on a journey toward their hidden, inner spaces. During the performance, various rituals and scenes drive away the evil spirits and command the darkness to retreat. The entire event culminates in a shared celebration – a moment from which on we can all carry on a little lighter.

THE WILD ONES is an exceptional production in scale: it features over 100 performers, including dancers, a choir, and a large team of professional artists. 

For the first time, all of Kajaani’s dance organizations are collaborating on a joint production. Contributing to the production are the Kajaani City Theatre, Seminaarin Taidekampus, Dance Company Off/Balance, local dance schools, enthusiasts, and volunteers.

“Dance the evil away, dance the fears out of your body, dance the space back to yourself!”

Each viewer gets to experience their own unique adaptation of the performance

The performance begins with a short walk in the outdoors. There are two different routes to the destination, and the groups are led on their way by guides. There are two starting points: from the Kajaani Main library and from The old health center of Kajaani.

Both paths lead to the historic main building of Seminaari. Once there, the performance stretches out to all three floors, across which the viewers can freely roam. There are micro and macro worlds to admire and experience, various rooms to explore, sights to stop to look at and then move on to the next one, at your own pace.

Along the path outside we witness the diversity of bodies, the wild nature that surrounds us, and layers of different dance styles. The interior of the Seminaari, on the other hand, is filled with different types of classes. A classroom is an organized, bound, and controlled space, and a place where learning takes place. It is also a space where movement and bodies are often controlled.

Until the Wild begins to force its way to the surface. Eventually, the classes no longer stay in place. They dissolve, intersect, and disappear.

THE WILD ONES is suitable for teenagers and adults alike.
The production is a part of the Oulu2026 Culture Programme and the Cultural Climate Change, as well as the Kajaani 375 anniversary program.