The Wonderful Painter

Once upon a time, in a very large city, there lived a lonely man named Painter Sutinen. “Where could I find a better life?” he wondered. The Wonderful Painter is the latest production by award-winning Red Nose Company, created for children aged 3–8 and based on Kaarina Helakisa’s beloved fairy tale of the same name. The production highlights the importance of cooperation and friendship, and suggests that happiness can be found by noticing the people around us.

The Wonderful Painter is a solo work by Timo Ruuskanen, familiar from Red Nose Company’s Mike & Zin duo. It combines clowning, puppetry, storytelling and live music to create a beautiful, magical world for both the youngest members of the family and adult audiences.

“I discovered Kaarina Helakisa’s fairy tale The Wonderful Painter years ago, when my own children were small. I read to them in the evenings, and this story immediately became my favourite fairy tale. It is poetic, beautiful and wise. Helakisa gently shows us what true happiness might be built on—not controlling other people or emphasising one’s own power, but cooperation, living together and accepting oneself. My children are now young adults, but Helakisa’s fairy tale remains important to me. In fact, the lesson of the story feels increasingly relevant in these times. I invite you all, from the youngest family members to adult audiences, into Helakisa’s world. I hope the beauty of the story and the production reaches and moves you, and that there is room for laughter, too. Relax and enjoy, each in your own way. And as you leave, notice your fellow audience members, too, because theatre is always a place not only for stories, but also for coming together and sharing the world and worlds. Let us each rule the kingdoms of our own hearts in a way that means taking care of one another.”

Timo Ruuskanen

Premiere: 16 September 2026
Studio Stage

Text: Kaarina Helakisa, Timo Ruuskanen
Direction, performance concept and performer: Timo Ruuskanen
Dramaturgical assistance: Jere Kolehmainen
Set, costumes, puppets, video design and photography: Tiina Hauta-aho
Sound design and music: Jukka Vierimaa, Timo Ruuskanen
Lighting design: Jere Kolehmainen
Co-production: Red Nose Company and Lahden kaupunginteatteri
Duration: 40 minutes