Turku musical draws 37,000 after selling out nearly every show

Samppalinna Summer Theatre in Turku has attracted 37,000 spectators with its production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with almost every performance sold out, Yle reports.

The theatre added several extra performances to meet demand. The musical is based on Victor Hugo’s novel and music from Disney’s animated film.

Artistic director and director Jukka Nylund said the production was a major risk, with a budget nearly twice that of a typical summer theatre show. The results, however, exceeded expectations.

“Different people are interested in different things in the production. Some wanted to see the original novel brought to the stage, while others wanted to see a Disney musical performed outdoors,” Nylund said.

The production involved almost 40 performers and musicians. Tickets cost up to 80 euros, making them among the most expensive summer theatre tickets sold in Finland.

Nylund said the price reflected the high production costs and was comparable to, or even lower than, large Disney productions staged indoors. He said the ticket price had drawn less criticism than expected, with spectators instead saying the production was worth every euro.

He added that prices were unlikely to fall without public or private funding. Wage costs are determined by collective agreements, while material costs are rising. Samppalinna is a professional theatre, which means its production costs are high, Nylund said.

Other summer theatres also performed strongly this year. Helsinki’s Ylioppilasteatteri, a theatre, sold out almost every performance of The Ghost of the Lapua Opera. Producer Aliisa Kattelus attributed the result partly to last year’s success and the theatre’s centenary celebrations.

At Suomenlinna Summer Theatre, nearly 24,000 tickets were sold and almost every performance was sold out. Producer Hanna Roisko said strong advance sales, positive reviews and word of mouth helped sell the remaining tickets.

Pyynikki Summer Theatre in Tampere attracted 25,000 spectators, but only one performance sold out completely, leaving it 10 percent below its target. Törnävä Summer Theatre in Seinäjoki drew about 8,000 spectators and reached its target after one performance sold out completely.

Some spectators in Turku saw The Hunchback of Notre Dame more than once. Aaro Wichmann, who plays the musical’s villain, said he had met people who had attended several performances.

“It is wonderful that people want to come again. Every evening is different. The themes are very topical: accepting people and community,” Wichmann said.