Among the most popular events at the Savoy Theatre last year were the Savoy JAZZFest in March, as well as the performances of Edgar Allan Poe’s Haunted Palace musical and Black Swan dance performances in November 2024. Events on the Espa stage that belongs to the Savoy Theatre, such as concerts by Vilma Jää and Arja Saijonmaa, also attracted crowds to the Esplanade Park in summer 2024.
“We have been working with international jazz music and world music at the Savoy Theatre for a long time. We hosted several world-class star concerts last year that were both audience and review successes, and Savoy JAZZFest set its all-time visitor record. This year is going to be at least as successful, and many of the spring performances are already sold out,” says Savoy Theatre Director Antti Manninen.
Savoy JAZZFest, one of the most significant jazz events in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, will also take place in March 2025, and Bill Frisell Trio feat, among others, will be on stage. Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston. In addition, the top productions of the spring include the 100th anniversary concert of the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, as well as the new Savoy & Sound Tracker Presents concert series, the artistic director of which is the musician Sami Yaffa.
The review of the Savoy Theatre’s governance model has been completed
In 2022, the City of Helsinki investigated a possible new governance model for the Savoy Theatre. On the basis of the review, a public-private model was selected for further investigation, in which the operations are based on a public-private partnership. The investigation has been completed, and as a result, the City of Helsinki will continue to develop the Savoy Theatre as part of the culture and leisure division.
“We wanted to find out what kind of model would best support the operations of the Savoy Theatre and the development of its customer experience. The theatre will continue as the City of Helsinki’s cultural service, and it is natural to develop the whole together with Sunborn Events, which started as a restaurant partner of the Savoy Theatre in 2023 and has already established its position nicely, as well as with lessor A. Ahlström. We have common goals: an even more holistic experience for city residents and an entity that enriches the cultural life of Helsinki,” says Deputy Director of Culture Mari Männistö.
The review of the governance model is based on the Helsinki City Strategy 2021–2025, the Vision for Arts and Culture 2030 and a study by the marketing communications agency Pink Eminence on alternative governance models for the Savoy Theatre. These guidelines encourage the city to evaluate the organisational models of its art institutions and develop new forms of cooperation.
Additional information:
Savoy Theatre: Antti Manninen, Director of Savoy Theatre, +358 400 700081, antti.manninen@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
Savoy Theatre’s governance model: Mari Männistö, Deputy Director of Culture, +358 400539900, mari.mannisto@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
