Theater
Director, actors, musicians, and singers
Kilden performing arts centre a multi-year program for young, dedicated performing artists and musicians who wish to engage in interdisciplinary work.
Sign Language in *The Tin Soldier*
"The Steadfast Tin Soldier" by Hans Christian Andersen will be staged at Kilden January, before the production embarks on an extensive tour. The production uses sign language.
Fact and Fiction in the Arendal Scandal
When Kilden a play about the Arendal crash, a dramatic chapter in the history of Southern Norway is brought to light. But what actually happened, and why does this story still make an impression 140 years later? Historian Håkon Haugland at KUBEN in Arendal explains why it happened, but also attempts to answer the question: Could it happen again?
From stage to screen
The short film *Small Talk* was adapted into a play at Kilden; now it’s also being made into a feature-length film
Meet the new uncle in Small Talk
The hit show *Small Talk* is about to premiere, and the Dvergsnes family has a new member—meet Uncle Bengt.
Ibsen plays on the main stage this fall
A dream team of inspiring artists, outstanding actors, and string players from the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra is ready to perform Ibsen’s most controversial play, *Ghosts*. The play sparked strong reactions when it was published in 1881, partly because it addressed taboo subjects such as adultery, incest, and mental health, and because it criticized duty-bound society and marriage while promoting ideas of freedom and the joy of life.
From an innocent sailor to a calculating and vengeful count
Soon, Kilden will host one of the most exciting stories of our time: Alexandre Dumas’ *The Count of Monte Cristo*. The story is filled with betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness, but the author’s own life was also full of drama and intrigue.
The Theater Card: Tripled in Three Years
The response to the 2025 Theater Card has exceeded all expectations! 1,000 people have secured next year’s card, meaning that demand has tripled in three years. Due to space constraints in our smaller auditoriums, we are now forced to stop sales.
Sugar and Slavery
In this article, historian Roar Løken writes about the role of sugar in the transatlantic slave trade, which is the controversial theme of the play *Kill Devil*.
The slave trade
The play *Kill Devil* is playing to sold-out houses, and it has garnered enthusiastic responses from both critics and audiences. In this article, historian Roar Løken examines Norway and the role of Norwegians in the Nordic slave trade.
— It’s really fun to be surprised and to experience theater you wouldn’t otherwise have seen
Since the Theater Pass was introduced, more and more people have been flocking to the box office to secure the coveted pass that grants access to all performances at Kilden for an entire year. Mads Hatlevik and Kristin Øygarden, a married couple, gave each other the Theater Pass as a Christmas gift.
The Applaus Friends Association
The Friends of Kilden Association has been launched under the apt name Applaus.
Kill Devil – Digital Preview
Get ready for *Kill Devil* with a digital preview! Historian Roar Løken discusses Norway’s involvement during the colonial era and the slave trade.
The magic of theater tells the story of the colony
“This project is perhaps what I’m most proud of here at Kilden—it’s simply amazing,” says Mike Troxel. He heads Kilden’s workshop, which has created an impressive structure to tell the story of Norwegian colonial history in connection with the production *Kill Devil*.
The Role of Theater in Ancient Greece
No other art form has had a greater influence on Western culture than Greek drama. In connection with the production *Oedipus/Antigone*, postdoctoral researcher Robert Emil Berge explores the role of theater in ancient Greece in this article.
Get ready for the first detective story in world history
As Kilden now stages Sophocles’ classic masterpiece *Oedipus/Antigone*, it does so with a large and diverse ensemble and exceptional artists behind the scenes.
The intrinsic value of art
Theater Director Valborg Frøysnes delivered a passionate speech on the intrinsic value of art at the Agder Culture Conference on June 5, 2024. The speech was well received by the audience, and in response to the feedback, Kilden performing arts centre hasperforming arts centre to publish the text in its entirety.
In the shadow of Nordic colonial history
In the production, now titled *Kill Devil*, we explore Norway’s connection to the Nordic slave trade. We shed light on the darker sides of Norwegian history—through shadow theater for adults.
The History of the Theater
For many years, Inger Johanne and Knut have been publishing historical books in the Rusletur series here in Kristiansand. In this article, they explore the history of theater in Kristiansand—a thorough and engaging account penned by two talented writers.
Kilden pays tribute to Gabriel Scott with a tour in Agder
“Well, Gabriel Scott’s first play—on tour—it’s a perfect fit,” says Endre Sannes Hadland. He is directing Kilden tour of Gabriel Scott’s first play to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth.
Check out Kilden 2025 program
Following an open call for proposals, it has now been confirmed that the local artist collective Spektra will be part of Kilden 2025 program with the production *Klagesangen*.
Romeo and Juliet: From Gnomes to the Glitter Bomb of the '90s
The name Romeo will always be associated with Juliet, and vice versa. This tragic love story has inspired movies, TV series, and an animated series about two garden gnomes.
In Search of Ancient Treasures from Romeo and Juliet
“When we use words that have already been spoken, it feels natural to use costumes that have already been worn,” explains Sanna Dembowski, set and costume designer for *Romeo and Juliet*. She is currently rummaging through Kilden’s storage to find old treasures she can use to create the production’s world.
