About the Rite of Spring

Ritual for four clowns

This performance is an unusual and surprising show inspired by Stravinsky’s famous Rite of Spring. Four clowns explore this great musical work and its many interpretations. They give themselves fully to the task. In the show, the clowns dance their own choreography to music written especially for them. The goal is to create a ritual that strengthens the feeling of connection — without sacrificing a young girl ever again. The performance is a co-production by Red Nose Company, Tanssiteatteri Tsuumi and Stoa. The premiere is at Stoa on 9 April 2026.

The first performance of The Rite of Spring in 1913 caused a scandal. It appeared at a time when the world was heading towards the First World War. Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes managed to finish the performance even though some people in the audience ran out of the theatre shouting. Nijinsky, Roerich and Stravinsky created a mythical story that showed both human violence and community, sacrifice and ritual. The Rite of Spring broke many artistic traditions and has influenced Western art perhaps more than any other work.

Today, the winds of war are blowing again. The clowns feel they have an important mission: to bring peace back into the world. Inspired by Nijinsky, the original choreographer, the clowns look towards the earth. Can a stronger connection with nature help us reduce polarization, inequality and the cycle of violence?

The earlier — and often very serious — versions of The Rite of Spring offer a lot of inspiration. This time, comedy cannot be avoided. Clowns Babylon, ExMayhem, Hoenanen and Ré explore their own relationship with Stravinsky’s music, earlier choreographies, spring dances, ancestors and sacrifice. What are the clowns ready to give up? Does the common good matter more, or do we always choose our own pleasure?

The performance is full of physical, wordless comedy.

More information: www.rednose.fi