Imagine suddenly getting a gorilla for a mom!
Nine-year-old Jonna has always dreamed of having a mom. One day, an old, dirty Volvo pulls up in front of the orphanage where she lives—and out of the car steps a gorilla. She wants to adopt Jonna, but Jonna is a little unsure. What’s it really like to have a big, shaggy, and crazy gorilla for a mom? And what if it’s true what they say—that gorillas eat little kids?!
Bring the kids and do something fun together when Riksteatret visits the cultural center with the stage adaptation of Frida Nilsson’s surprising, funny, and moving children’s book—a heartwarming story about family happiness that arises when you least expect it. No two families are alike.
In the lead role as Jonna, you’ll meet Ina Svenningdal (from NRK’s “Linus i svingen” and “Skam”) in a playful and colorful production with funny characters and catchy songs.
What people are saying about the book
“On par with Astrid Lindgren … a heartwarming adventure about generous and extraordinary parental love.”
Aftenposten
“A magnificent guiding star … timeless qualities that fit just as well in our time.”
Barnebokkritikk.no
“Like Astrid Lindgren, Frida Nilsson is faithful to a child’s perspective”
NRK
PS!
If a gorilla in a ugly car were to appear in your life: Seize the opportunity! Things aren’t always what they seem.
Suitable for children ages 5 and up.
On stage
, Ina Svenningdal, Marte Stolp, Karianna Sommerro, Mailin Moon Lee Øgrim, John Hagen, Nils Oortwijn, and Herman Hilde Pedersen
Team
Playwright: Jenny Svensson
Director and choreographer: Jakob Höglund
Set designer and puppet designer: Heini Maaranen
Costume designer: Heidi Wikar
Lighting designer: William Iles
Composer and sound designer: Stefan Johansson
Dramaturg and prompter: Christina Smeby
Artistic advisor: Grethe Henden
Producer: Silje Vigerust Vinjar
By Frida Nilsson.
Adapted by Jenny Svensson.
World premiere: Oslo / Nydalen, October 8, 2026
Tour premiere: Kristiansund, October 14, 2026
Produced by Riksteatret
