Rare Bird

Rare Bird (2011) is a dance production for children aged three to six years, made by Karstein Solli Productions.

Rare Bird was built around formal elements such as stage design, objects and costumes. Sound, song, dance and movement were central in the performance. In this effect, it was similar to Karstein Solli's earlier productions for the very youngest.

New for this production is that during the rehearsal period the aim was to examine, with the target group (children aged 3-5 years), how light and video projection can create a dramatic universe of its own.

Information

(Objekt ID 24519)
Object type Production
Premiere January 27, 2011
Produced by Karstein Solli Productions
Coproducers Unge Viken Teater
Audience Young children (from 3 to 5)
Audience size 778
Number of events 28
Language Norwegian
Keywords Performance for children, Theatre, Dance, Contemporary dance, Music, Multimedia, Movie, Song, Object theatre
Running period January 27, 2011  —  June 4, 2011
Duration 45 minutes
Website Sjelden fugl, Rare Bird - Slide Rocket Online Presentation Tool, Karstein Solli Produksjoner

Requirements to venue

Minimum stage width 10m
Minimum stage depth 10m
Minimum stage height 4m
Blackout Yes
More

Young children are not familiar with theatre effects and norms the way adults are, and the children can challenge the communication with performers, parents and other adults. Karstein Solli Productions regards the work with these challenges as an important part of the artistic process.

Rare Bird starts in an open, white space, in which a white box is gradually transformed into a magical landscape where different characters show up. An aviation pilot and an insect bring the troupe to an unknown destination. A goat equipped with one wing only attempts, in the meeting with a parrot, to learn how to fly and float in the air.

Rare Bird touches themes connected to the element of air, the wish to move and which emotions can arise when one meet someone different from oneself, and nobody talks the same language.

Karstein Solli Productions' artistic aim is to provide the children aged 3-5 the opportunity to experience art through multifaceted expressions. The productions are known for shifts between the recognisable situations and actions to a more abstracted, dance artistic expression. This, Solli thinks, can inspire children and adults to associate freely and experience at a more independent level.

Interactivity: 20 minutes with children and adults after the performance.

Supported by: Arts Council Norway and The Fund for Performing Artists.

Source:

Akershus Theatre, akershusteater.no, 29.11.2011, http://www.akershusteater.no/sider/forestillinger/skjeldenfugl.html

Contributors (11)
Name Role
Karstein Solli – Concept/Idea
Karstein Solli – Choreography
Øystein Elle – Music
Kari Wien – Costume
Lisa Helstrøm Jørgensen – Video/Film
Beata Kretovicova Iden – Performer
Marianne Skjeldal – Performer
Olav Waastad – Performer
Øystein Elle – Singer
Vitor Monico Truzzi – Producer (Turneplanlegger Europa og Sør-Amerika)
Maybritt Jensen – Consultant
Performance dates
February 27, 2011Studioscenen, Dansens Hus, Oslo Show
February 26, 2011Studioscenen, Dansens Hus, Oslo Show
February 25, 2011Studioscenen, Dansens Hus, Oslo Show
February 24, 2011Studioscenen, Dansens Hus, Oslo Show
January 27, 2011Teatersalen, Lillestrøm Kultursenter Worldwide premiere
Press coverage

Lunde, Inger-Margrethe. Småbarn på eventyrlig alvor (literally: Toddlers in adventurous sobriety), Aftenposten, aftenposten.no, 30.01.2011, http://oslopuls.aftenposten.no/kunst_scene/article492434.ece:

"Rare Bird is, one may say, a rare bird. Karstein Solli has a distinct hold of performance theatre/dance for children. (...) This is generous performing arts. The transitions are mild, as much as they are absurd. Solli moves with much elegance between the familiar and the totally innovative."

Pape, Sidsel. Sjelden fugl på Dansens Hus (literally: Rare bird at Dansens Hus), Barnebokkritkk.no, barnebokkritikk.no, 29.11.2011, http://www.barnebokkritikk.no/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=85:

"It is brave to make a performance lasting three quarters of an hour for the age group 3.5 years, but Solli knows what he is doing, with good support from the performers and his professional childhood advisor. The production takes children seriously and leads them carefully through the performance situation. Rare Bird develops theatre skills and shows that abstract dance is difficult for adults, not for children."