HAPPINESS?
Bold, documentary-style theatre performance that begins with a simple promise: to make the audience happy in 90 minutes.
The journey starts in the "world's happiest country" Finland and leads straight to the legendary "Blue Zone" of longevity in Sardinia, Italy. We meet Sardinian women (a farmer, a 96-year-old shop owner, philosopher, yoga teacher...) alongside Finnish pensioner women reflecting on nature, care, and the meaning of peace. But what the Finnish-Danish actor couple, Fanny Paananen and Patrick Torring, find is not a simple recipe for joy, but an honest, existential crisis...
The performance blends physical theatre, live puppetry, personal diaries and documentary research all framed by a sarcastic look at modern happiness culture.
Rest assured, audience participation is not a part of this performance.
Language: English
Directing and dramaturgy by: Vera Boitcova
Directing: Sofia Stupenkova
On Stage: Fanny Paananen and Patrick Torring
Voice actor: Elina Jackson
Light design: Timo Hanhisalo
Duration: approx. 1 h 45 min
Venue: Valtimonteatteri, Helsinki (Aleksis Kiven Katu 22)
Supported by: Eu and Goethe Institute: Culture Moves Europe and the city of Helsinki
Dates:
Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 19:00 PREMIERE
Friday, January 9, 2026 at 19:00
Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 15:00
Tickets:
https://www.valtimonteatteri.com/happiness.html
Also check out other Arts events in Helsinki, Theatre events in Helsinki, Health & Wellness events in Helsinki.
