Norwegian Critics' Award 2013/2014

Ine Therese Berg won the award for the text Teatret ser til romanen for tiden (literally: Theatre looks to the novel for the time being), Morgenbladet, February 14-20 2014.

Emil Bernhardt said the following, among other things, on behalf of Norwegian Critics' Association during the award ceremony:

"The comment, printed in Morgenbladet February 14 2014, points at a tendency in the theatre to lean on the novel and thus raises the issue whether the theatre's own and particular characteristics are put in the background. This way the comment hints to a multidisciplinary challenge with validity also outside of theatre. The writer has written based on an intense involvement, giving the text a clear and distinct voice. The contact with a topical situation, shown through concrete examples, shines clearly through, and the comment has the ability to put the problem in question within a broad, yes, international context. In addition the writer contrasts different approaches and explanations against one another for eventually, as hinted, to open for 'the transformative ability of theatre'."

The complete speech can be read (in Norwegian only) at the website of Norwegian Critics' Association.

Source:

Norwegian Critics' Association, www.kritikerlaget.no, 25.09.2014, http://kritikerlaget.no/nor/pages/960-rets_kritikk_2014

Choreographer Ingri Fiksdal and stage designer Signe Becker won the award for Hoods, Black Box Teater.

Anette Therese Pettersen said the following, among other things, on behalf of Norwegian Critics' Association during the award ceremony:

"Fiksdal and Becker both have made their marks in their respective fields, but in the projects they have made together - and particularly in Hoods - it has become increasingly difficult to see where the limits between stage design and choreography go.

Hoods is a kind of hybrid between installation and performance, in which the audience is clad in the same burqa-like colourful costumes as the performers. In addition, the rows of seating have been removed, so that performers and spectators are in a room without visible divides. Hoods is a meditative and evocative performance posing questions about what dance is - and at the same time it provides several suggestions. It is an immersive experience in which dance comes from within and outside at the same time."

The complete speech can be read (in Norwegian only) at the website of Norwegian Critics' Association.

Source:

Norwegian Critics' Association, www.kritikerlaget.no, 25.09.2014, http://kritikerlaget.no/nor/pages/959-dansekritikerprisen_201314

Choreographer Ingri Fiksdal and stage designer Signe Becker won the award for Hoods, Black Box Teater.

Anette Therese Pettersen said the following, among other things, on behalf of Norwegian Critics' Association during the award ceremony:

"Fiksdal and Becker both have made their marks in their respective fields, but in the projects they have made together - and particularly in Hoods - it has become increasingly difficult to see where the limits between stage design and choreography go.

Hoods is a kind of hybrid between installation and performance, in which the audience is clad in the same burqa-like colourful costumes as the performers. In addition, the rows of seating have been removed, so that performers and spectators are in a room without visible divides. Hoods is a meditative and evocative performance posing questions about what dance is - and at the same time it provides several suggestions. It is an immersive experience in which dance comes from within and outside at the same time."

The complete speech can be read (in Norwegian only) at the website of Norwegian Critics' Association.

Source:

Norwegian Critics' Association, www.kritikerlaget.no, 25.09.2014, http://kritikerlaget.no/nor/pages/959-dansekritikerprisen_201314

Jon Tombre (direction) and Cecilie Løveid (text) won the award for The Showing, The National Theatre.

Chris Erichsen said the following, among other things, on behalf of Norwegian Critics' Association during the award ceremony:

"There is something about her language. It is somewhat filled up. I have to be well prepared. To have cleaned the room inside of me, so that there is room for me in there, in her language. Perhaps it has something to do with 'the particular tone of broken language', as she writes in Alltid skyer over Askøy (literally: Always clouds above Askøy). Something with the enormous range she is always able to push into her language; from the fully transparent and fragile to the raw and expressive, in one and the same poetic mouthful.

(...)

Some reviewers have criticised the production for being inconsequent in its expression. I would claim that just this inconsequence is part of the strength of the performance. Jon Tombre could have chosen safe and well on the top shelf a thorough expressional effect having led us without resistance through the performance. Instead he, with his ensemble, has chosen the risky way."

The complete speech can be read (in Norwegian only) at the website of Norwegian Critics' Association.

Source:

Norwegian Critics' Association, www.kritikerlaget.no, 25.09.2014, http://kritikerlaget.no/nor/pages/957-teaterkritikerprisen_201314

Jon Tombre (direction) and Cecilie Løveid (text) won the award for The Showing, The National Theatre.

Chris Erichsen said the following, among other things, on behalf of Norwegian Critics' Association during the award ceremony:

"There is something about her language. It is somewhat filled up. I have to be well prepared. To have cleaned the room inside of me, so that there is room for me in there, in her language. Perhaps it has something to do with 'the particular tone of broken language', as she writes in Alltid skyer over Askøy (literally: Always clouds above Askøy). Something with the enormous range she is always able to push into her language; from the fully transparent and fragile to the raw and expressive, in one and the same poetic mouthful.

(...)

Some reviewers have criticised the production for being inconsequent in its expression. I would claim that just this inconsequence is part of the strength of the performance. Jon Tombre could have chosen safe and well on the top shelf a thorough expressional effect having led us without resistance through the performance. Instead he, with his ensemble, has chosen the risky way."

The complete speech can be read (in Norwegian only) at the website of Norwegian Critics' Association.

Source:

Norwegian Critics' Association, www.kritikerlaget.no, 25.09.2014, http://kritikerlaget.no/nor/pages/957-teaterkritikerprisen_201314