© Katri Naukkarinen
The Companion
“Robots can’t feel, but we feel for them…”
- Kate Darling, The New Breed
The Companion is a private encounter between one audience member and a robotic dog. In the performance, the robot entices the human participant into different negotiations, interactions and play. The encounter harnesses our innate curiosity and empathy towards all moving beings. What kind of agency are we willing to embrace? Are we ready to surrender and trust a non-human companion?
The Companion premiered at Oslo Internasjonale Teaterfestival March 2024.
Working group:
Artists: Jarkko Partanen, Jussi Matikainen, Laura Haapakangas from WAUHAUS
Visual Design of the robot: Kari Kankaanpää
Lighting Design: Mia Jalerva
Software Development: Aki Panuma (Probot)
Producer: Julia Hovi
Co-production: WAUHAUS (Helsinki), Black Box teater (Oslo), Kiasma Theatre (Helsinki).
In collaboration with Probot
Supported by: Nordic Culture Point, Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, The Arts Promotion Centre Finland,
City of Helsinki
General info:
Performances:
Kiasma Theatre, Helsinki, Finland: 23.9. – 5.10.2025
TICKETS
Inkonst, Malmö, Sweden: 26. – 30.11.2025
Ticket release 18.6.2025
Earlier:
2024:
Oslo Internasjonal Teaterfestival, Norway
Baltoscandal Festival, Estonia
Dansens hus, Sweden
The performance is for one person at a time. Children aged 5–12 can experience an adapted version of the performance together with an accompanying adult.
Language: English (in Kiasma Theatre children can experience the performance in Finnish)
Duration: 20min
Touring
for touring possibilities, please contact: Production (at) wauhaus.fi
© Sofia Okkonen
Teaser
© Katri Naukkarinen
© Katri Naukkarinen
© Katri Naukkarinen
© Katri Naukkarinen
© Katri Naukkarinen
