Choreography and direction Samuli Roininen
Dance Suvi Eloranta, Anniina Kumpuniemi, Samuli Roininen/Mari Rosendahl
Music Minna Leinonen

What does a smile sound like? What would you include in a time capsule for future generations?

The smell of soil. Wedding dance steps. Things with wings and tails. Earthworms and beetles. A child's grin at a parent, and that special glow when somebody smiles.

Combining movement and music with the vivid drawings of visual artist Petri Seppä, Virne – Smirk turns the stage into a living and breathing universe of rhythms. This clever and optimistic contem porary dance piece takes you on a floating electroacoustic ride through turbulence and serenity, tuned to the sounds of composer Minna Leinonen.

Musicians on recording Maa, jonka jätämme (2024): Malla Vivolin (flute), Children's choir Tactus of Pirkanmaan musiikkiopisto, choir director Emmi Kleemola, Vyöry (2022): Antti Leinonen (accordion) and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra (strings), conductor Tomas Djupsjöbacka
Sound design, audio technology Henri Puolitaival

Drawings, projection Petri Seppä
Light design Sari Mayer
Costume design Ella Kauppinen
Set element design and constuction Sem Sandison
Photo Harri Hinkka, art Petri Seppä, editing Anne Virta

Review

"The new work by Tampere Dance Theater MD inspires hope and faith in the future, if we are able to retain a curious childlike mind and an open heart.

Award-winning contemporary composer Minna Leinonen's work Vyöry (Avalanche) was one of the starting points for the choreography of Virne – Smirk. The musical world is complemented by Leinonen's composition Maa, jonka jätämme (The Land We Leave), written for flutist Malla Vivolin.

Flutist Malla Vivolin conjures up almost cosmic tones and worlds from her instrument. However, the work is not solely composed of these harmonious elements: color, music, and movement. As the performance progresses, the naturalness of the dancers' characters, with which they embrace things previously unknown to them, is emphasized. What is significant is how one relates to new phenomena. In this work, the dancers are curious; cautious at first, but by no means reserved. And then onwards!

Smirk refers more to a mischievous grin than a smile, neither of which are seen in the performance. The dancers do not express themselves at all and do not interact with each other except for a few playful moments. Yet the atmosphere is extremely warm and bright. The dancers marvel at the world like children, always searching for and finding something interesting both in themselves and in their surroundings. There is no fear. There is trust in life.

Ritva Alpola, Culture Editor, November 20, 2025

"A remarkable, interesting, and sensory-stimulating work.

The performance was quite impressive and magnificent in many ways. The performance itself is a combination of projection, contemporary music, and contemporary dance. The music in this work is indeed the second most impressive factor. At first, it was distracting and annoying. Apparently, the flute can be used in many ways. Then I somehow grew attached to it. The music also swelled. I began to get excited about it. When Nälkämaa's song was finally thrown into the mix, varied and sampled anew, I was completely sold."

manmadelifestyle.com November 17, 2025

"A contemporary dance performance shakes the senses" 

In times like these, when there is so much going on and going on, just sitting down to something magical is fascinating. The performance provides a good break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life." 

Kati Pääkkönen, Sydän-Hämeen lehti November 29, 2025

Performances

PERFORMANCES

Sat 15.11. at 6pm PREMIERE
Tue 18.11. at 6pm 
Wed 19.11. at 6pm
Thu 20.11. at 6pm
Sat 22.11. at 4pm 
Tue 25.11. at 6pm 
Fri 28.11. at 6pm
Sat 29.11. at 6pm 
Tue 2.12. at 6pm 
Wed 3.12. at 6pm

Open rehearsals
Wed 2.4. at 4-5pm
Thu 9.10. at 4-5pm

Duration 45 minutes