Performance explores artistic borrowing
Steal This Performance, a graduation work by Finnish director Pauli Patinen, has already won a European prize and will be staged at Le Maillon, part of Strasbourg Theatre, from 12 to 14 November 2026. The piece examines the long history of artists borrowing and reworking existing works, comparing adaptations like West Side Story from Romeo and Juliet and the influence of ancient texts on Shakespeare.Theatrical cabinet of curiosities
Patinen's work presents the stage as a "cabinet of curiosities," a collection of theatrical and performative references, but without traditional homage or academic citations. The director seeks to challenge the idea of artistic authority and the concept of originality, questioning the power of creation and what audiences expect from art.Focus on artistic elements
The performance emphasizes the enjoyment of the text, the precision of the acting, and the use of visual and sound elements to create a compelling stage illusion. These aspects are central to the experience, drawing the audience into a world where borrowing and reimagining are central themes.Production team and collaborators
Juho Keränen is the performer, with set design by Anni Hernetkoski, lighting and video by Ville Tolvanen, sound design by Axel Ridberg, and costumes by Ellen Järnefelt. Anni Hernetkoski and Mikael Karkkonen are among the stagehands, and Mikael Karkkonen also provides production and distribution assistance. Jere J. Aalto is responsible for photography.Production background
Steal This Performance is the graduation work of Pauli Patinen from the Theatre Academy at the University of The Arts Helsinki. The article about the performance first appeared on Sceneweb, a platform that covers theatre and performance arts in Scandinavia.
