Dancing Moominvalley
Dance Theatre MD has evoked national treasures of Finland, the Moomins, into dance. Dancing Moominvalley is visually spectacular, fully composed dance theatre piece for the whole family. This popular, award-winning, all over the globe seen performance is based on Tove Jansson’s book The Tales from the Moominvalley. The performance opens up the well known themes of Tove Jansson’s books: invisibility, otherness and difference.
The basis of the visual world of the piece are the original illustrations of Tove Jansson in the collection of The Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum (nowadays Moomin Museum). The world of the illustrations and the tales of Jansson are now interpreted on stage by the means of dance theatre.
The piece is choreographed by Dance Theatre MD’s choreographer Samuli Roininen and the music is composed by Heikki Mäenpää. Dance, music and visual elements such as projections intertwine to interpret the holistic and fascinating world created in Jansson’s tales.
The project Dancing Moominvalley @ Shanghai Expo was featured in the Finnish cultural program at EXPO 2010 and was presented at EXPO 2010 on August 2010. The project also recieved Shanghai EXPO 2010 Culture Award as the only one of the Finnish Pavilion Culture Program. In spring 2020 Dancing Moominvalley celebrated it’s 10 year anniversary!
Script, direction and choreography Samuli Roininen
Script, composing and sound design Heikki Mäenpää
Performers Joel Alalantela (visitor), Suvi Eloranta/Liisa Laihia (visitor), Klaara Haapanen (visitor), Anniina Kumpuniemi, Samuli Roininen and Mari Rosendahl
Costume design and visual realization Carmela Wager
Projection and visual realization Sanna Malkavaara
Lighting design Sari Mayer
Stage manager Matias Palo
Set realization Matias Palo, Riina Kuusisto (intern)
Costume realization Osk Työhuone Hengari
Wigs and hats Anni Hiro
Orchestra Heikki Mäenpää & Muumilaakso Orchestra (Finland), in co-operation with Ringing Bells Rondo Club (Japan)
Logo design Ville-Veikko Heinonen
Research, consultant and lecturer Elina Bonelius, Sirke Happonen
Special Advisor Panu Raninen
Photos Ari Ijäs
Production Dance Theatre MD and executive producer Heikki Mäenpää
Poster and brochure Adfab Advertising Agency
In co-operation EPSON, Moomin Characters Ltd, the Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum, Harjula Production Ltd and Muumien ystävät -yhdistys Myy ry.
Performance rights Agency North / Suomen Näytelmäkirjailijat ja Käsikirjoittajat, ©Moomin Characters™.
Based on Tove Jansson’s book The Tales from the Moominvalley
Photo: Ari Ijäs
Technical information
Setup time 10 h | setdown time 2 h
Required space 10 x 10 m
Tour ensemble 9 persons
Available on tour also PEEKS INTO THE DANCING MOOMINVALLEY
Peeks into the Dancing Moominvalley is an interactive little sister of the whole 50 minute long contemporary dance theatre piece.
Comments
“This is no mere dancing hippo. Rather it is the lovely national treasure of Finland!”
“The multimedia dance play adapts Tove Jansson’s The Tales from the Moominvalley. The Finnish classic is given a family friendly contemporary dance makeover and won a Shanghai EXPO 2010 Culture Award.”
Ticket sales
+358 (0) 50 556 6025
liput @ tanssiteatterimd.fi
