Paradis* (Paradise/Hopscotch)

In Paradis* (Paradise/Hopscotch) by Theatre Nova nobody notices that Karmen disappears after grandmother’s funeral. While the adults eat sandwiches, Karmen enters a small, hidden backyard where she can be alone. The draws the pattern for jumping hopscotch with a piece of chalk. Karmen attempts to make up for everything, she just has to jump without stepping on the lines!

Suddenly someone ruins it for her. It is Georg. Who is he, really? He is not a cat, though he has cat ears and hisses the way an angry male cat does. Karmen has taken his spot. Georg wants to be alone too. They have to compete who is to remain in the backyard.

Every jump and every step in Paradis brings Karmen and Georg closer to each other, for better and worse.

Paradis was supported by the Freedom of Expression Foundation Fritt Ord, the county of Vestfold, Vestfold College University, The Norwegian Actors’ Equity Association and the municipality of Tønsberg.

Source: Theatre Nova, 01.12.2010, http://teaternova.no/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=49&Itemid=113

*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning. In Norway, the children’s jumping game hopscotch is referred to as paradis, identical to the Norwegian word for paradise.