“Strange wonders” and “humorous features”

– Representations of ethnic minorities and PoC people in the Finnish National Theatre’s children’s theatre performances 1902–1969

Abstract

In this article, I examine the history of representation of ethnic minority and PoC people in children’s plays performed at the Finnish National Theatre and outline the means used in the construction of ethnicity, especially those related to the appearance of the performers, such as costumes and make-up. Through diverse archival material, a previously unknown perspective is drawn on Finnish children’s theatre in the early decades of the 20th century, it’s character types, values and attitudes.