Helsinki City Theatre

60°10′55″N 24°56′33″E / 60.18194°N 24.94250°E / 60.18194; 24.94250OwnerHelsinki Theatre FoundationTypeTheatreCapacityConstructionOpenedSeptember 1967 (1967-09)Expanded1989, 2001, 2005, 2010ArchitectTimo PenttiläWebsitehkt.fi

The Helsinki City Theatre (Finnish: Helsingin Kaupunginteatteri; Swedish: Helsingfors stadsteater) is a theatre located in Helsinki, Finland. Owned by the Helsinki Theatre Foundation, it calls itself a "modern popular bilingual repertoire theatre."^[1]

The Helsinki City Theatre is the only Finnish representative in the European Theatre Convention.^[2] In addition to drama and musicals, the theatre operates a concert dance oriented branch, the Helsinki Dance Company.

Annual figures reported by the theatre include 20 new productions, 1,100 performances, and 350,000 spectators.^[1] The theatre has 250 permanent members of staff, and operates across 6 stages.^[1]

History

The theatre has its roots in two organizations: Helsingin Työväenteatteri ("Workers' Theatre of Helsinki", established in 1902) and Helsingin Kansanteatteri (People's Theatre of Helsinki, established in 1934). These two merged in 1948 to form Helsingin Kansanteatteri-Työväenteatteri ("People's and Workers' Theatre of Helsinki"), which eventually transitioned into the Helsinki City Theatre in 1964. The rebranding was largely a result of the emergence of the Helsinki Theatre Foundation, who owns the theatre, and whose members are elected by the City Council of Helsinki.^[1]

Prior to 1965, the Helsinki City Theatre operated on third-party stages, after which the organization chose to construct a theatre building of their own. They held an architectural competition for the design of the new building, which was won by architects Timo Penttilä and Kari Virta. The building designed by Penttilä opened in 1967. In 1989, an annex building was constructed, which was also designed by Penttilä's architectural firm. The working drawings for the theatre building were later donated to the Museum of Finnish Architecture. A bronze model of the theatre building is on display in the theatre vestibule.^[1][3]

Stages

• Big stage (Finnish: Suuri näyttämö) — 947 seats
• Arena stage — 500 seats
• Small stage (Finnish: Pieni näyttämö)— 347 seats
• Studio Pasila — 324 seats
• Lilla Teatern — 267 seats
• Studio Elsa — 240 seats

See also

• Alexander Theatre
• Club act!one (2003)
• Finnish National Theatre
• Swedish Theatre

References

External links

• Media related to Helsinki City Theatre at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website