The Field & Sisters

Double bill evening: Choreographies by Susanna Leinonen and Alpo Aaltokoski

DURATION 1,5 h with intermission

The Field

A contemporary woman’s look at the memories of the Finnish Civil War, Susanna Leinonen’s choreography draws upon stories and recollections that have been passed down through generations – and also upon the silence surrounding a devastating event in a nation’s past.

Choreography Susanna Leinonen
Dance Suvi Eloranta, Anniina Kumpuniemi, Mari Rosendahl and Samuli Roininen
Costume design Anniina Kuula
Sound design Kasperi Laine
Light design Nadja Räikkä
Sound technician Henri Puolitaival
Light tecnician Sari Mayer
Photo Harri Hinkka

Duration 25 minutes

Sisters

Completing Alpo Aaltokoski’s trilogy beginning with Together (2010) and Brothers (2017), Sisters continues an expedition into movement, dealing with the subjects of shared motion and personal connections, the deeper aspects of being together and the pain of separation. Merging dance with Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s piano concerto Für Alina, Aaltokoski creates a temporal and emotional framework for dancers Elina Jakowleva and Mari Rosendahl.

Choreography Alpo Aaltokoski
Dance Elina Jakowleva and Mari Rosendahl
Light design Sari Mayer
Costume design Marja Uusitalo
Sound technician Henri Puolitaival
Photo Stefan Bremer

Duration 25 minutes

Double bill evening: The Field and Sisters
PREMIERE on 26.10.2018 at 7pm at Hällä Stage
DURATION 1,5 h with intermission

Susanna Leinonen burst onto the scene to take her place among Finland’s most internationally interesting choreographers in 2000. The choreographies that she has produced in subsequent years have received positive reviews in Finland as well as abroad. Susanna Leinonen graduated from the Theatre Academy of Finland’s Department of Dance Art with a master’s degree in 2000. Four years later she received the Finland prize and the Dance Work of the Year award and in 2012 Helsinki Culture Award. During 2008-2013 and again starting from 2015 she has enjoyed the security of a 5-year state grant for artists. Leinonen’s choreographies have been presented in more than 20 countries around the world.

Alpo Aaltokoski majored in choreography and graduated as a Master of Arts from the Department of Dance at the Finnish Theatre Academy in 1991. During his career, Aaltokoski has created over fifty works which have been received with great acclaim. In addition to his private and undeniably high-level artistic career, he has had varied and multiple roles in the field of dance, for example, as a pedagogue both in Finland and abroad with cultural and art political influence. Aaltokoski received the Order of the Lion of Finland, Pro Finlandia award. This prestigious medal is awarded by the Finnish president annually to Finns who have distinguished themselves in the field of arts and science, and is one of Finland’s highest honours. The award has been granted to outstanding artists since 1945.

Photos on the right by Harri Hinkka