Henrik Mestad

Henrik Mestad made his debut in The Vikings at Helgeland at The National Theatre, where he throughout the years has interpreted more than 50 different roles. He is as familiar with the classics as contemporary drama.

At Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre) he played Johannes in Victoria (2004), whereas he at Teatret Vårt (Our Theatre) was Ask Burlefot in Morten Borgersen's adaptation of Mykle's Lasso round the Moon (1996).

He is also a playwright and has written Lik meg når jeg er teit* (Like me when I am a dork) (1993) and Nansens sønn* (Nansen's Son) (2002) which he also performed in. He has taken part in TV series such as Western Wind and in several movies, such as Gone with the Woman and A Somewhat Gentle Man. For the role of Kurt in August Strindberg's The Dance of Death he was nominated for The Hedda Award in the category of best supporting actor, and he won Amanda and The Kanon Award for best supporting male character in the movie Sons in 2007.

In 2011 he won The Hedda Award in the category of best leading actor for the role of the Master in The Father, directed by Victoria Meirik, The National Theatre.

The Hedda jury gave the following reason:

"The winner of the year has acted on different stages, had parts in TV series, been awarded prizes for his efforts in movies and even written two plays of his own. His talent ranges over a wide spectrum: He has formerly been nominated for The Hedda Award for his interpretation of a character giving him the victory tonight. At the time he played an ordinary, well-meaning and rather anonymous man, this year the insecurely, confoundedly drifting glance in his eyes testifies from the very beginning that he is balancing on the edge of madness, and when madness takes over, he manages to show us the man he once was through short, clear-sighted moments. In the role of the master in The Father by August Strindberg, performed at The Torshov Theatre, he has given us new interpretation, faithful to the text and to every last detail credible.

The award for best leading actor of the year goes to Henrik Mestad."

Henrik Mestad was again nominated for The Hedda Award 2016 in the best leading actor category for the role of Karsten Bernick in Pillars of Society (The Norwegian Theatre in collaboration with The National Theatre 2015).

SOURCES:

The National Theatre

The Hedda Award

*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.

• Kirkeristen lille Teater - Actor

• The Hedda Award 2011 - Best leading actor
• Norsk Teaterleder-Forums pris 1993 - Yngre utøvende kunstnere

• The Hedda Award 2016 - Best leading actor
• The Hedda Award 2011 - Best leading actor
• The Hedda Award 2006 - Best supporting actor