The Nordic Exposure season brings performers from the Northern countries to London to share their talents with audiences at Jacksons Lane. In addition to a broad spectrum of acts across many artistic fields, the season programme also caters to all ages. The programme features theatre about toxic masculinity and contemporary dance about couples counselling alongside with storytelling and Moomin puppet shows that are aimed especially at young audiences.
This article highlights some of the season’s performances featuring Finnish artists. We have previously written about the Finnish circus acts at Nordic Exposure here and about Portmanteau’s Piste, piste, piste and the season in general here.
In Them by Spindrift Theatre four women from Iceland and Finland explore how toxic masculinity shapes gender roles, narrows our horizons, and makes people behave against their better nature, bringing to light the taboos of masculinity.
From Nordic theatre company Spindrift Theatre, Them is a devised theatre piece based on over 40 interviews with men from different backgrounds. Collated since 2016, the interviews were held with men from Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, UK, USA, Australia, Chile and France. The men discuss their relationship to their gender and biological sex, their childhood and role models, their emotional life and dreams, their sexuality, and fears. The four actors also contributed their own thoughts, discussing their encounters with toxic masculinity.
Mischief & Mystery in Moominvalley by Get Lost and Found is a show designed especially for young audiences. Suitable for ages 3–7, it features puppetry, an ingenious pop-up book set, original music and interactive storytelling. Based on the much-loved novels by Tove Jansson, and created in consultation with Sophia Jansson, the show takes the audience on a journey to Moominvalley.
Them by Spindrift Theatre, 24 April, 7.30pm, Nordic Exposure. Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, London N6 5AA. Tickets available here.
Mischief & Mystery in Moominvalley by Get Lost and Found, 30 April–1 May, multiple showtimes, Nordic Exposure. Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, London N6 5AA. Tickets available here.
Nordic Exposure season at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, London N6 5AA, Saturday 5th March–Sunday 1st May 2022. Season Launch Night Wednesday 9th March 2022. All tickets £10 and under here. More about Jacksons Lane on their website.
Image credits:
Get Lost & Found credit Emma Myrtle
Image from Them courtesy of the artists