Christmas at the theatre(391)
Like the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread cookies, the theatres' Christmas productions are a lovely signal of Christmas. These productions have a ritual character. Most Christmas productions are repeated from year to year. They signal the turn of the year, from Autumn to the Christmas season, and for some, Christmas theatre brings out the Christmas mood.
The pre-Christmas traditions in theatre mean much more than just "a nice evening at the theatre". Parents and grandparents dress their children or grandchildren in their best and go to a Christmas performance to mark that Christmas is soon to come. The older generations pass on their traditions to the younger. This form of cultural exchange across generations is important for a culture to continue.
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In Norway, Christmas was established as a time for theatre as early as 150 years ago. In 1867, Christiania Theatre offered the first production for children in Norwegian theatre history. Holberg's The Christmas Party was performed. Today, more target group-focused Christmas productions awaken the appetite for Christmas in the young ones and in the older ones: Journey to the Christmas Star, Jul i Blåfjell* (Christmas on Blue Mountain), Jul med Prøysen og Snekker Andersen* (Christmas with Prøysen and Carpenter Andersen), Snowfall, A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, Putti Plutti Pott and Santa's Beard and Mrs. Pepperpot's Christmas.
In this gallery, you find photos, posters, playbills, and texts connected to Christmas productions, both dance and theatre.
*Not yet translated into the English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.