The dream of Turku comes true for two actors

The actors Asta Sveholm and Sami Lalou, who secured acting contracts at Turku City Theatre last year, pose on the Theatre Bridge. They often cross the bridge, as they both commute to the theatre from the city centre along the river.

The duo moved to Turku last summer. Sami already rehearsed for the play Tiranan sydän in Turku last spring, which premiered in the autumn, and also attended property viewings.

– Turku felt distinctly European right away, with a great buzz, Sami recalls.

Asta and Sami graduated from the Theatre Academy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and both immediately secured acting contracts at Oulu Theatre. They ended up spending two years there.

– Freelancing suits some people, but neither of us was drawn to it, Asta and Sami reflect.

Asta recalls feeling nervous about her performance in the play Pikku hauen pyydystys, knowing that Mikko Kouki, the artistic director of Turku City Theatre, was coming to Oulu to see it. The outcome would play a crucial role in determining whether she would secure a job in Turku.

Long-term acting contracts are rare in theatres. If you dare to go outside Ring Road III, it is easier to find employment. The competition is fierce, with over one hundred candidates vying for each position.

However, Mikko Kouki offered a place for both in Turku.

– It felt like a stroke of luck, Asta recalls. 

The city’s cultural scene appeals to the actors

Asta spent last autumn driving between Turku and Oulu while she was still involved in a play at Oulu Theatre. Sami has lived in many places and is accustomed to travelling and relocating.

He thinks it is easy to manage without a car in Turku, and buses and trains are convenient for travelling to Helsinki.

– You can decide to meet friends or relatives on short notice and still make it back home for the night.

Asta, who grew up in a family of actors in Helsinki, welcomed the change of scenery – first to Oulu and now to Turku. It suited her to move away from the familiar setting and gain a fresh perspective on things.

– I have also found peace to grow since moving to a new place.

I had the impression that Turku holds theatre in high regard.

 

Both Asta and Sami enjoyed working in Oulu, but the distance from relatives and friends felt too great. 

Turku has always been attractive to both of them, and both the city and the theatre have a strong reputation in their professional field. The actors found the programme of Turku City Theatre inspiring. In addition, they are excited about the future of Music Hall Fuuga, which will be completed next door.

– I had the impression that Turku holds theatre in high regard and that it occupies a central, visible role in the city, Sami says.

– Moving to Turku has been a long-term dream, one that has developed over the past few years, Asta reveals.

At first, moving to the southwestern coast felt like a southern holiday. The young actors fully embraced the vibrant atmosphere by the River Aura when the summer was at its best. They reflect on the enjoyable moments spent along the riverbank over the summer, noting that they tried every terrace and well-known restaurant.

– I’ve attended many gigs on the Cathedral Park Terrace. It’s a fantastic oasis of cultural history right in the heart of the city, Sami says.

– I like to go to gigs anyway, and I’ve found plenty of interesting indie music here, Asta continues.

They have also spent a lot of time swimming at the Samppalinna Outdoor Swimming Stadium. It is convenient to be able to climb up for a swim directly from the backyard of your workplace in the spring and early autumn.

Engaging challenges at work and an uncomplicated everyday life

So far, both actors’ everyday lives have been quite hectic, with most of their time spent between home and the theatre.

Their working days are divided into two parts: morning rehearsals, a few hours’ break in the afternoon, and evening performances.

Sundays are their day off. Then Asta goes to the gym.

– I often use Sundays to practise my lines, Sami laughs.

They have found it easy to settle into the work community. In their own words, they both have been given great roles along with a significant amount of responsibility. Asta has the title role in Hildur, a play based on a detective story, and Sami plays the other leading role. The season for staging one of William Shakespeare’s most iconic plays, Macbeth, has just begun. The duo plays the Macduff couple in it.

Asta especially enjoys Shakespeare’s rich and complex writing. It creates a challenging opportunity for actors.

– You really get to work with the text; you have to immerse yourself in it, get your hands dirty, and sink your teeth into it, Asta describes.

Asta’s work can also be seen on another stage in Turku, at Turun Nuori Teatteri’s Eläintila, which just had its premiere. Asta has written the script for the production, based on George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

In her opinion, writing a play has been an educational experience. It has required a type of resilience and solitude that contrasts with the collaborative nature of preparing and performing a production alongside fellow actors.

– I originally wrote the text for a play at Oulu City Theatre, and I am delighted that Turun Nuori Teatteri has also included it in its programme. I find the work very relevant in today’s context.

TEXT: HEIDI HORILA

The article has been published in Finnish in Turkuposti 1, 2025.