Norwegian Critics' Award 2010/2011

Excerpt from speech by Henning Høholt, held during the awards ceremony for Norwegian Critics' Award September 29 2011:

"Kristian Ruutu's excellent interpretation of the role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, which he gets the Norwegian Critics' Award for dance for, is superior. From my review in www.kulturkompasset.com May 17 2011 I quote: 'Kristian Ruutu, who in the demanding role of Mercutio makes one of the best interpretations of this role I have seen.'

From Inger Margrethe Lunde's review in Aftenposten May 15 2011: 'Romeo, danced by Kaloyan Boyadjiev and his friends, Mercutio, danced by Kristian Ruutu and Benvolio, danced by Lucas Lima, give us many impressive scenes. We are infected by their comradeship and joy in life. In particular does Ruutu blossom. With this role he makes his definitive break-through. So strong, and at the same time light and playful. He must die for his friend. We believe in him too.'

Allow me to add this too: Every time you perform onstage, not only do you dance your parts, you play your parts, and with your excellent talent for acting and your humorous glint in the eye you manage to convey this all the way to seat rows the very furthest from the stage, and that is why you are always the centre of the audience's attention, and that is why they love you.

It is an honour to me, my privilege and my great joy, here today on behalf of Norwegian Critics' Association to give Norwegian Critics' Award for dance for the season 2010/2011 to Kristian Ruutu for his interpretation of the role of Mercutio in Michael Corder's and Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet."

Read the speech in full (Norwegian only) here.

Source:

Norwegian Critics'Association, kritikerlaget.no, 29.09.2011, http://www.kritikerlaget.no/pages/nor/648-dansekritikerprisen_til_kristian_ruutu

Excerpt from speech by Lillian Bikset, held during the awards ceremony for Norwegian Critics' Award September 29 2011:

"There are times when the theatre gives a language to what lacks a language. When what is hard or impossible to express in daily life is given an expression of truth onstage. There are times performances stay in your mind for long after you have watched them, and the next time you are in need of the words, you find them. Because you have seen something you otherwise could have - or would have - chosen to look away from. The winner of this year's Critics' Award wins the award for such as role.

(...)

She is capable of renewing herself as an actress for every role she does. In her voice, in her mimicry and in her body language she has a remarkable range of expression. Her intelligence as a performer is high and she has the kind of psychological insight that makes her able to convey the complex. Heidi Gjermundsen Broch is an extraordinarily nuanced actress with great understanding for human diversity. It makes her characters seem real and credible"

Read the speech in full (Norwegian only) here.

Source:

Norwegian Critics'Association, 29.09.2011, kritikerlaget.no, http://www.kritikerlaget.no/pages/nor/650-teaterkritikerprisen_til_heidi_gjermundsen_broch