Aino A. — A Play at Jyväskylä City Theatre

Jyväskylä City Theatre opens its 2026 autumn season on the Main Stage with Aino A., which premieres on 26 September. The work tells the story of a trained architect and a woman alongside a genius: a person with a strong voice and distinctive work whose contribution was partly overlooked in her own time. The play tells of the quarter-century Aino and Alvar Aalto spent together (1924–1949), with the Aaltos portrayed by actor couple Elina Saarela and Miika Laakso. The opening production has drawn added interest from the discussion around it in advance, including some critical voices. The work honours the Aaltos’ legacy while making use of theatrical techniques and the freedoms of storytelling. Like any stage or film interpretation based on history, this play is not a documentary. In addition to the Aaltos, the play also features other prominent figures of the period who influenced the emergence of Finnish design. Passion, conflicts and money worries—but also light, joy and creative madness—were all part of Aino and Alvar’s story. The stage presents a visually elegant and beautiful whole that honours the spirit of Artek’s early years and the era. Kati Kaartinen adapted the play from Jari Järvelä’s novel, and it is directed by theatre director Marietta Kunnas, who grew up surrounded by Aalto architecture. The composition of the play’s music was supported by the Central Finland Regional Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

Preview: 25 September. Premiere: 26 September at 15:00.

Script: Jari Järvelä – Kati Kaartinen
Direction: Marietta Kunnas
Set design: Annina Nevantaus
Costume design: Anna Sinkkonen (guest)
Lighting design: Japo Granlund
Video design: Jaakko Sirainen (guest)
Composition and sound design: Juuso Voltti (guest)
Make-up design: Niina Vattulainen

Cast: Paavo Honkimäki, Anneli Karppinen, Miika Laakso, Hannu Lintukoski, Piia Mannisenmäki, Saara Mänttäri, Jussi-Petteri Peräinen, Elina Saarela, Asko Vaarala, Annika Junno (guest, Theatre Academy Helsinki).

Performance rights for the play are represented by Näytelmäkulma – Nordic Drama Corner Oy.