Amos and Theatre exhibition
Theatre played an important role in the life of the businessman and patron Amos Anderson (1878–1961). Today, the most visible proof of this is the building of Svenska Teatern, The Swedish Theatre, in Helsinki. The building was renovated in the 1930s with the support of Amos. In addition to financial support, Amos held different positions of trust within the theatre world, as well as directed and wrote plays for the theatre. The theatre was a central place in Amos’ support for the Swedish language and culture in Finland.
The Amos and Theatre exhibition is on display in front of the Swedish Theatre at Erottaja Square until 31 October 2025. Admission is free.
Exhibition team: Mary Gestrin, Anna-Maria Wilskman
Website: Anni Fahler
Exhibition photographs: Finnish Heritage Agency and Amos Rex Archive
Graphics: Antti Hinkula
Exhibition architecture: Lauri Johansson
Thank you: Raija Linna, Joanna Maltzeff, Zoë Jay, Kaj Martin, Kerttu Raittila
Amos Anderson, Göran Holmberg and Ossi Ginman rehearse their roles at Vreta in Kimito in the 1890s.
Svenska Teatern commissioned Amos Anderson’s portrait form the artist Sigrid Schauman to celebrate Amos’ 80th birthday in 1958.
Russian architect Nicholas Benois planned the theatre that was built in 1866. It was renovated during the years 1935-1936.
The renovation of the theatre building was an enormous project.
The caryatids were removed from the Esplanad side of the façade in 1935.
The caryatids from Svenska Teatern found their new home on the wall of Amos’ summer estate garage in Söderlångvik. The garage was designed by the architect W.G. Palmqvist.
The modernization of the theatre was realised by the financial support of Amos Anderson. Amos held a speech at the topping-out ceremony of the building.
The modernized building was officially opened in September 1936. The renovation project was led by the architects Eero Saarinen and Jarl Eklund.
The plays Vallis Gratiae and The Great World Theatre were the most famous plays connected to Amos. Both were also performed abroad.
Amos directed the play The Assumption of Hannele in 1943, starring May Pihlgren.
The last play directed by Amos for Svenska Teatern was Jean Mogin’s To Each According to His Hunger, starring May Pihlgren, in 1951.
The theatre gave Amos a photograph album as a keepsake from the play To Each According to His Hunger.
The stars of the theatre often visited Amos’ home in Yrjönkatu. Seen here are theatre guests from the visiting performance Medea, starring Tora Teje, and theatre’s staff congratulating Amos on his 60th birthday.
Set designer Stefan Welcke with his assistants in their domain, the stage design studio of the Swedish Theatre. Hufvudstadsbladet, 9 May 1943
Amos was a close friend of many of the actors of Svenska Teatern. Here Erik Fröling, Mona Mårtenson and Birgit Kronström.
Music has always played a vital role in theatre performances.
Ernst Marischka’s operetta Franzi at Swedish Theatre in the spring of 1941. Composer and conductor Peter Kreuder visited herlsinki and conducted the theatre’s orchestra.
Children enjoying the magic of theatre in 1955.
The actors of Svenska Teatern performing Zacharias Topelius’ Christmas of the Veteran in the civil shelter during the Winter War in January 1940.
Sometimes the theatre served unwillingly as a stage for political protests. Amos Anderson and Nicken Rönngren following the cleaning of tar from the walls in January 1935.
Amos Anderson portrait relief by Gunnar Elfgren was unveiled in Svenska Teatern in 1949. The prime minister K.A. Fagerholm gave a speech on the occasion.