Now in its 31st edition, Winter Circus once again fills the Erkko Hall at Dance House Helsinki with laughter, sighs of delight and great emotions.
This winter, the much-loved and eagerly awaited circus experience for the whole family leaps into the fast-paced world behind the scenes of filmmaking. Can the Great Director bring their unruly inner gang under control, or will the entire story spiral out of hand—and straight into our hearts?
Winter Circus Film is a joyful, mischievous, and high-energy contemporary circus performance. Emotions and other quirky inhabitants of the mind take the stage in all their colorful glory on an arena resembling a movie studio. It reminds us that happiness can be found in the most unexpected places — and that each of us can be the star and director of our own lives.
World-class circus artists from around the globe invite the audience to join in a shared play, where the magic of the stage is built before our very eyes. Who says filmmaking can’t be a full-blown circus too?
The show features a variety of circus disciplines, including German wheel, contortion acrobatics, Chinese pole, and trapeze. As always, the performance is powered by live music and the beloved Winter Circus stars, Rat and Pig!
Step into the magic of the circus, marveling together at the wonderful strangeness of being human!
Direction and choreography: Jyrki Karttunen
Circus direction: Saku Mäkelä
Composition and musical dramaturgy: Maija Ruuskanen
Set and video design: Mika Haaranen
Costume design: Joona Huotari-Andreou
Lighting design: Juho Rahijärvi
Technical design: Petri Mäkelä
Puppet maker: Helena Markku
Audience engagement: Paule Aladin
Performers
Renata Moura Barcellos Borges (Brazil): dance trapeze
Christopher Hartwig (Germany): trio trapeze
Joonas Kinnunen (Finland): drums, percussion
Annika Koljonen (Finland): handbalance, dance acrobatics
Sofia Motturi (Finland): juggling, circus trainee
Anna-Maija Nyman (Finland): Chinese pole
Karina Peisker (Germany): German wheel
Kalle Pikkuharju (Finland): contortion, handbalance
Alizé Poitreau (France): swinging trapeze
Jouni Aslak Raatikainen (Finland): bass, guitar, percussion
Aliisa Rinne (Finland): dance trainee (performing turns with Saraste)
Pauliina Saraste (Finland): dance trainee (performing turns with Rinne)
Milena Schwenkenberg (Germany): trio trapeze
Xander Taylor (Canada): trio trapeze
Hanna Terävä Varis (Finland): animal character
Riina Tikkanen (Finland): puppeteer
Eero Vesterinen (Finland): animal character
Mari Vuolahti (Finland): trumpet, baritone horn
Arvi Yrjölä (Finland): dance acrobatics
More information