This week the Finnish National Ballet will go on tour in Japan with six performances at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo on 22–25 April and two performances in Osaka on 29–30 April.
Moomin ballet was specifically designed for the Japan tour
The tour program includes a gala performance featuring extracts from the Finnish National Ballet’s foremost productions.
The gala opens with a Moomin ballet lasting under an hour, Moomin and the Magician’s Hat, specifically designed for the Japan tour, based on Tove Jansson’s book Trollkarlens hatt (Finn Family Moomintroll). This new work will be choreographed by the Artistic Director of the National Ballet, Kenneth Greve, to music by Tuomas Kantelinen.
Moomin and the Magician’s Hat transports viewers to Moominvalley, where the appearance of a strange hat causes confusion. Characters already seen in the earlier Moomin ballet are now joined by Little My and the Groke.
Photo: Mirka Kleemola / Finnish National Ballet
Performance dates and tickets:
Finnair, a leading Nordic airline and a Moomin licensee, is the Finnish National Ballet’s partner for the Japan tour. The tour forms part of the official celebrations for the centenary of Finland’s independence.
The European premiere in 2018
The European premiere of the new ballet is in Helsinki in January 2018. Tickets for spring 2018 will be on sale in October 2017.
Photos: Mirka Kleemola / Finnish National Ballet
Moomin costumes: © Moomin Characters™