The complete works of Henrik Ibsen in 78 minutes

There's something satisfying about things coming back to square one and drawing a full circle. Like when the fearless vampire hunters return to Transylvania, where the story began, and finally put an end to Dracula's reign of terror.

Or, in this case, as when Henrik Ibsen's 78-minute complete works return to southern Norway, 14 years after the world premiere in Grimstad. In the meantime, the play has been staged at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen in 2017, in a heavily updated version, since some references and techniques no longer fit as well. Like Jon Fosse, Michael Jackson and Wenche Foss. For very different reasons.

Now the script has been reworked yet again. For example, playing a scene from The League of Youths à la Shame already seemed a bit off. Otherwise, the author has endeavored to include references to Nordic Noir and #metoo, as well as hints to southern phenomena such as Fjæreheia, Kaptein Sabeltann and the art silo. It makes you wonder what Ibsen himself would have changed, had he been given the chance. Probably dropped the bow in Peer Gynt, because no one understands that.

The complete works of Henrik Ibsen in 78 minutes

October 04, 2019 - December 29, 2019

By: Knut Nærum
Direction and visual concept: Audny Chris Holsen
With: Lars Emil Nielsen, Ann Ingrid Fuglestveit-Mortensen and Steffen Mulder

Text: Knut Nærum