Anniversary for Finnmark theatres

The Samovar Theatre in Kirkenes and the Stellaris Dance Theatre in Hammerfest, both situated in the northernmost county of Norway, celebrates their long lasting existence in 2010. To mark the anniversary they co arrange the theatre play “Mother Courage and her children”, by Bertolt Brecht. The project is supported by the BarentsKult program.

Published on 21.01.2010

The Stellaris Dance Theatre celebrates their 30th anniversary, while the Samovar Theatre celebrates their 20th anniversary. These are impressing celebrations, considering that both theatres are situated in scarcely populated areas of Norway, where theatres normally is shut down after a short while due to financial problems. Both theatres have avoided this by being innovative and keeping performances at a high level.

– We produce plays which reflect present time. In all our productions we are focused on and are inspired by the local, national and international political changes in society, a press release writes.

“Mother Courage and her children” was written by Bertolt Brecht in 1939, and reflects the current situation in Europe in the years before the outbreak of World War 2. A special feature to the play is that it will be performed in the old theatre house in Kirkenes, Malmklang, which was destroyed in a fire in 2005. After the fire all interior was removed, and the building is today a large concrete construction without any contents waiting for a political decision of its future.

– The large room inside will be a fantastic scenery for the play, and reflect on the atmosphere and mood in a war torn area, the press release writes.

The production is co financed by the Norwegian Barents Secretariats BarentsKult program, and will have its premiere in Kirkenes on February 4th.