Circus meets folk tradition – Karkelot is a celebration of life and community.
Communality isn’t dead – it lives on in circus!
Karkelot (Revelry) is the Arctic Ensemble circus collective’s new, big, and visually stunning
contemporary circus production, featuring acrobatics alongside traditional partner and group
dances. The audience is treated to a cornucopia of acrobats, dancers, musicians, and
masters of physical comedy.
The work draws inspiration from Finnish folk tradition, dance, and music, which whimsically
intertwine with circus acrobatics, physical comedy, and a focus on being present in the
moment. It revives historically familiar forms of coming together to celebrate. The ensuing
revelry is elevated to yet another level by accordion artist Johanna Juhola, who plays her own
compositions.
Karkelot makes use of playful competitiveness inherent in both acrobatics and folk dance
alike and demonstrates rare showmanship by wordlessly communicating through physical
movement. Refreshingly, the performance dismantles the often gendered and strictly enacted
roles of each discipline.
In the work, celebrations and rituals that accompany life and death - from birth to adulthood
to marriage – all form a part of the revelry. The performance strives for authentic physical
connection and invites the audience to join in the creation of new rituals for coming together.
Karkelot is a touring production and takes place in Arctic Ensemble’s famed circus tent. The
tent is pitched at Marinsatama field in Kivenlahti in August and at Espoo virastokeskus in
September and October.
Director: Jenni Kallo
Choreography: Riikka Puumalainen
Cast: Ada Forsberg, Anselmi Kaisanlahti, Eino Kaisanlahti, Armas Lintusaari, Orfeo Llewellyn,
Pihla Ojala, Emmi Peltola, Minna Pulsa, Linnea Purontaus, Johanna Juhola, and Niina RintaOpas
Composer: Johanna Juhola
Sound designer: Antti Puumalainen
Costume designer and scenography: Mirkka Nyrhinen
Lighting designer: Jaakko Sirainen
Co-produced by: Kallo Collective
Performance language: mostly non-verbal, some Finnish and English
Age recommendation: 7+
www.espoonteatteri.fi
