DuvTeatern

DuvTeatern consists of eight actors with developmental disabilities along with a few professional theatre practitioners. The group functions within the framework of DUV i Mellersta Nyland rf. - an association promoting the well-being of people with developmental disabilities in the region of Central Uusimaa, Finland. DuvTeatern has its base in Helsinki and is led by the director, Mikaela Hasán.

Since its establishment in 1999, DuvTeatern has produced its own versions of classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet (Shakespeare), Three Sisters (Chekhov) as well as a children's play based on the stories of the Brothers Grimm. The plays have not only been performed on various stages in Helsinki, but have also toured in Finland visiting The Hanko Theatre Festival and the Wasa Teater. White shadows (a version of Three sisters) was also performed at Pero Theatre in Stockholm, Sweden in 2005.

The children's play Sagan om Hans och Greta och mycket annat (The Story of Hansel and Grethel and Much More) was part of DuvTeatern's ground-breaking audience participation work. The focus of these interactive workshops was the meeting between the audience, which consisted mostly of children, and the performers with disabilities.

Lotte Schauman as the Witch in The Story of Hansel and Grethel and Much More (2007). Photo Stefan Bremer

Although the productions are broadly adapted from well-known classics, DuvTeatern strives to respect the original texts. What is most important however, is that the actors are enabled to tell stories of personal relevance and that it is their ideas, drawn out through the process of improvisation, that make out the basis for the performance. The goal is to use the actors' personalities, talents and ability to create engaging theatre.

DuvTeatern aims to deepen the connection between people with and without disabilities and co-operates with visiting professional artists in every project. The interaction between the actors and the audience is also of central importance, and audience participation workshops are offered as part of each production.



The Ensemble. Carmen, Bird of Prey, 2011. Photo Stefan Bremer

DuvTeatern and Stefan Bremer in Washington, D.C.

From February 23rd  to April 15th,  Stefan Bremer’s photographic portraits of the DuvTeatern actors and dancers in costume will be on display in Washington, D.C. USA. The exhibition DUVA/DIVA: DuvTeatern's Glorious Carmen. Photographs by Stefan Bremer is presented by Charles Krause at gallery CHARLES KRAUSE/REPORTING FINE ART.

Read more about the exhibition...

The documentary
Den tysta sångerskan (The Silent Singer)

will be sent on January 24th on FST5 at 8 pm and can be seen at Yle Areena until February 23rd. The documentary follows the rehearsals and the opening evening of DuvTeatern's most recent production, Carmen, Bird of Prey. The film is directed by Anna Blom and produced by Långfilm Productions

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Carmen, Bird of Prey

A collaboration with the Finnish National Opera and Blue Flamenco School of Dance in 2011

 

Flamenco Dancer - Siiri Tiilikka

DUVA/DIVA: DuvTeatern's Glorious Carmen. Photographs by Stefan Bremer

at CHARLES KRAUSE/REPORTING FINE ART in Washington DC from February 23rd to April 15th 2012.

 

Duva/Diva

Anniversary publication and photographic exhibition


Carmen - Irina von Martens
La Diva - Pia Renes