The Alexander Theatre

What a place! Too many modern performance spaces seem to be designed for cinema rather than live theatre. Aleksanterin teatteri is wonderfully traditional (1879) and has the works: wings, gantries, pulleys, flies, control box, ... the lot. It's a cultural jewel that the Finnish authorities should treasure more than they apparently do.

There is a surprising emotional warmth generated onstage by the theatre design, particularly on the extended apron covering the orchestra pit. The tight rows of red seats and the three levels of auditorium help, of course.

The depth of the stage ... my goodness! I first approached the space from the workshops behind upstage and it was like walking through a tunnel, with the proscenium opening out to the auditorium in the distance. Centre stage, things felt smaller but the audience still quite distant. At the forestage and extended apron, the power of the space was more apparent. One could just stand there and sing!

And the excitement, joys, and torments of our weekend with The Winter's Tale? Let it breathe. We'll tell the other tales anon.