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tarjeismoeworknews · 1 year

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Today it was announced that Tarjei will play Saint Olav in the musical comedy «Olav den Heldige» - Frøyas kjærlighet ("Olav the Lucky" - Frøya's love) after its initial main actor (Johannes Fürst) quit. Tarjei will be joined on stage by actress Maja Christiansen as well as 35 local actors.

This is the second of a total of three family shows that bring you into the epic superhero universe of Saint Olav. Performance takes place in the year 1016 AD. Olav has traveled all over the country to bring Norway under his control. He founded Borg (today known as Sarpsborg), which became the capital of Norway. Now only one thing remains. A real king must have a queen. But in the search for his chosen one, he receives strong opposition from the Swedish king. In Olav's attempt to convert the country to Christianity, he meets resistance both from his own people and not the least from the Norse gods. «Olav den Heldige» - Frøyas kjærlighet takes on the task of creating the epic and magnificent tale that Norse mythology, the saga of kings, and the life of Saint Olav deserves!- olavsdagene.no

Good evening Norway has talked to both leading actors after the production company’s announcement: “It is, of course, sad that Johannes had to leave, because I had really looked forward to working with him. That said, I am sure that Tarjei will do an excellent job,” says Maja Christiansen. The "Rådebank" star says that it was actually she who suggested Moe as a candidate to take over the role. “He has a playful energy and a wise head. We haven't worked properly together before, so it will be a pleasure,” she states. The production company reports that they are proud to have Moe as the new lead. The actor is looking forward to returning to the stage after having been busy studying script writing at the Norwegian Film School in Lillehammer, where he also lives. “I have therefore not had the opportunity to play much theatre in the last two years, so it will be very good to do it this summer,” Moe says to God kveld Norge. “Why did you choose this role?” “The script seemed great fun, and it's also fun to be in Østfold for a bit since I'm half Østfolding myself,” replies the Skam star. He thinks that Christiansen contributing to him being offered the role, which will be his first leading role in a musical comedy, is very nice, and he is positive about the collaboration after the reading test for the play. By the summer of 2024, he will be a fully qualified scriptwriter. “The course requires a lot of time and is very rewarding and educational. But I'm also really looking forward to finishing my degree, and maybe going back to doing more acting in addition to my work as a scriptwriter.”

The musical will be performed this summer in Sarpsborg and Stiklestad, with premieres taking place on 12 July and 25 August, respectively, with a total of 10 performances.

Director: Nils Petter Mørland Choreographer: Charlott Utzig Set designer: Eilif Teisbo Lighting design: Oscar Udbye Costumes: Anette Werenskiold Screenplay: Aslak Maurstad, Mathias Luppichini, Sjur Marqvardsen and Patrik A. Stenseth Composer: Andreas Humlekjær

Social media: Instagram, Facebook

Website: https://www.deheldige.no/

#tarjei #tarjei sandvik moe #olavdenheldige

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operafantomet · 5 months

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SOME THOUGHTS ON FROZEN OSLO

(no pun intended, even if Oslo has had temperatures as low as minus 23 degrees celsius last week...)

Having seen the non-replica production of Frozen in Oslo twice this winter, I was asked to share some thoughts on it. It will not be a proper review, rather some random observations and highly subjective opinions.

THE GOOD

The snow. THE. SNOW. ALL THE SNOW. Made of a paper-like substance which looks amazingly real. It is present from the start of the show, ever increasing and culminates in "Let It Go" where it is literally hurled out over the audience, and the children scream of glee and the world is a snowstorm, and then the first act is over with a bang. And of course, all this snow can just stay on stage for the second act. Yes. Theatre magic done well.

The cast, OMG the cast. Such a strong cast. It goes for the leads, the alternates and the ensemble. A tiny complaint is that it's a fairly small cast, so it's really noticeable when people appear in double and triple roles, and I would have liked two or three more in the ensemble in general. But what they deliver is really, really good. I can't put my finger on what or why, it's just a joy seeing and hearing them.

Extra shout-out to Mimmi Tamba as Elsa. She is next level. In the acting, in the singing. She has a grand voice, but also the tenderness and distressed moments. She embodies every nuance of Elsa, and shows such a growth and transformation. Grrrrl.

Another shout-out to the deliciously bad men of the show. Mathias Luppichini as Hans goes from clumsy-Hugh-Grant-charming in the first act to deliciously evil Hugh-Grant-as-Buchanan-in-Paddington in the second act.

As a contrast Petter Winther (whose last name means winter, heh) as Weselton is amazingly sleazy and awful from the moment is glorious boots enters the stage. And he dances as sleazy as he acts, and you just gotta love that.

And probably no surprise but still worth mentioning - Olaf. He looks like Olaf, acts like Olaf, and at times I have to remind myself the lumpy figure is not alive, it is the actor (Mathias Ambjør) bringing him to life. And when little Olaf dances with a sea of big, lumpy Olafs on stage I just wanna cry. Of joy and laughter. SWEETNESS OVERLOAD.

Last, but not least: little Elsa and little Anna. I have seen the same little Anna twice and if someone ever stole the show it is 100% her. She is so energetic, so cute, so bouncy, so playful, and sings wonderfully. But both little Elsas has also been wonderful - just for the record. I guess it's sometimes just easier being the smallest on stage...

The focus on Elsa and Anna's relationship. It is what makes Frozen unique and touching, and it is well kept in this production. It is what makes you believe the whole story. True love indeed. It was very present both in the performance with Mimmi Tamba and Ina Svenningdal, and with Mimmi Tamba and Tiril Heide-Steen. Thus I assume it's the directing. And that makes me happy.

Other things I loved: The glittery stones on Elsa's white wig, the cast interacting quite a bit with the kids, a dash diversity on stage, overall well translated lyrics, them bringing out all stage and backstage workers before the curtain call of the cast, the live orchestra, the very good theatre brochure, the snowmen suddenly bouncing out a lot of large inflatable balls over the audience (bouncing them back and forth).

THE MEEEEH

The costume design. There are many good things going on, but the overall look is a bit generic. How I would have loved some repeated pattern to become the signature detail, or an acknowledge of Disney having that... look, that style. I think I miss more details or structure, because a lot of it - as seen from the auditorium - looks like plain, shiny silk and plain wool. I'm not saying it IS, as sitting on the first row showed me a lot more textures and details. But it doesn't really translate beyond row 1, and even if many nice colours is used they all feel a bit muted still. Like a dusty filter added.

I DO slightly appreciate that it's not a Nordic folk costume bonanza, as in the movie and on Broadway. I think it would look a bit too much in a local setting. But a richer look would have been appreciated.

Exception being Elsa's EXPLODING ICE costume during "monster". it is a bit WTF but also mighty cool. It is a visual reminder that icy Arendelle is not only the misfortune of the people, but also very much her own tragedy. Fascinating.

Making the hidden folk and Grand Pabbie into veiled elves. Again, I just miss the hint of a magic fairytale world. "Oh so veiled elves is not fairytale enough for you?", you might ask. Well, not these elves. They feel like Kate Bush's backup dancers. Hidden folk folklore in at least Norway usually feature more nature-like creatures, both alluring and dangerous. I missed the danger or the utter beauty - or both.

Sven and Kristoffer is a nice duo. The sami aspect of Kristoffer has been downplayed in this version, and Sven is mostly walking on two legs, with some weird sticks which I first thought was crotches but then understood substituted for front legs. But in these two I do miss a bigger comic relief as a PAIR. They have many momens as individuals, with Sven flirting with the audience and Kristoffer poking fun at Anna. But I would have enjoyed a directing focusing even more on them as a duo. A small complaint, but still.

THE BAD

Anna's huge monster of a ballgown. I KNOW she is supposed to be and look awkward as she has not enjoyed anyone's company - and especially not a formal ball - since childhood. But did they really have to make it so... unshapeable and acid? Huge skirt, huge sleeves, and a huge bow in the back making her look hunchbacked. Yes, she is recognizable and stands out from the crowd. But in a Madame Thénardier way. I'm sorry, Anna. You deserve better at your first ball.

The set design. They don't feel particularly magical, fairytale like or innovative. It relies on lots of light, single "cartoon" pieces like clouds, sun/moon and trees, and a fairly bare stage.

OK, some exceptions. Anna and Elsas bedroom(s) offers a hint of that fairytale look, and it goes from one room in the opening to two separate rooms later on in a very clever way.

As mentioned earlier the WILD AMOUNTS OF SNOW is also a highlight. I just wanna roll myself in that snow.

My biggest beef is the "star", the ice set. I sit there, I see giant heavy icy mountains, and mostly I feel they could have sunk the Titanic. Yes, they can be moved around, yes the cast can slide down them. But they kill the stage with their heaviness, they don't give me fairytale vibes, they don't feel like a frosty icicle frenzy I somehow crave to step into and experience - like on Broadway, or the movie, or the Hyperion live show. Looking at photos it looks funkier, with the ice tips more believable. But on stage it is a heavy lump of a machinery.

The Arendelle castle ballrom is A JOKE. A giant golden foil fringe wall towards a yellow sunset? Razzle dazzle them? I think not. I am offended, TBH. Again, ANNA IT IS YOUR FIRST BALL. YOU DESERVE BETTER.

So yeah... All in all, I enjoy a lot of aspects of this production. But had it not been for the outstanding cast I am not sure I would have seen it more than once. I miss the magic and the Disney flair, or at least more playful visuals. This especially goes for the sets, but to some degree also the costumes. But I like the directing and the overall wibe. I would go again to see a third combo in the leads.

Director: Gísli Örn Garðarsson

Set design: Börkur Jónsson

Costume design: Christina Lovery

To be performed in: Det Norske Teatret in Oslo Norway, The National Theatre in Reykjavik Iceland, Stckholm Stadsteater in Sweden and Helsingfors Stadsteater in Finland.

Photos from: Det Norske Teatret

#frozen the musical #someone film 'let it go' PLEASE #det norske teatret #not tagging them all

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