nitusenByen* (The nine thousand town)
nitusenByen* (The nine thousand town) (1989) was a collaborative production by Totalteatret and Sampo Teater. The title nitusenByen* (the nine thousand town) refers to Tromsø, as the postcode of Tromsø is 9000. Totalteatret and Sampo Teater examined the conditions for the inhabitants of the town and how they affect nature.
The stage design of the production was a kind of scaffolding, twelve meters long and two floors tall.
*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.
Information
(Objekt ID 10456)| Object type | Production |
| Premiere | May 21, 1989 |
| Produced by | Sampo Teater, Totalteatret |
| Audience | Adults |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Keywords | Theatre |
| Running period | May 21, 1989 |
| Website | Ferske Scener/ Totalteatret |
On the webpage of Ferske Scener the following is written about nitusenByen* (The nine thousand town):
"The urban environment made the frame around the production. The performance showed stylistic situation descriptions within a defined frame. Through four characters loneliness, hope and reflections were presented to the audience through a modern expression, with symbolic stage design and daring lighting. The images were made by Eirik Annar Evensen and Kurt Hermansen. Onstage were Anitta Suikkari, Kristin Eriksen**, Bernt Bjørn and Stein Bjørn.
(...) The production was launched as an experiment, as a different approach to the urban pulse."
Thanks to: Ragnar Olsen, Anne Britt Henden, Tiri Bergesen, Laila and Dolfrid at Prelaten, the newspaper Tromsø, Mack and "the scaffold comrades".
Supported by: The arts council of Northern Norway (Nordnorsk kulturråd), Arts Council Norway, The Fund for Performing Artists, The Audio Visual Fund.
Sources:
Bjørkli, Anita, (2007), Kystteater i Nord-Norge - en gjennomgang av geografisk bestemt scenekunst (literally: Coastal theatre in Northern Norway - an exposition of geographically determined performing arts), University of Bergen, Institute for cultural studies and history of art: Master in theatre science.
Buresund, Inger and Anne-Britt Gran (1996): Frie grupper og Black Box Teater. 1970-1995 (literally: Independent companies and Black Box Teater), adNotam Gyldendal, Oslo
Ferske Scener, www.ferskescener.no, 19.03.2012, http://www.ferskescener.no/friske_fraspark_totalteatret_historie/cms/20/17/hent_artikkel/11
Sampo Teater's private archive. Donated by Anitta Suikkari, 15.05.2009.
*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.
**The actress referred to as Kristin Eriksen is now named Kristin Eriksen Bjørn, Sceneweb's comment.
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mette Brantzeg | – Script |
| Svein Nymo | – Script |
| Svein Nymo | – Idea |
| Mette Brantzeg | – Direction |
| Jon Andreassen | – Music |
| Inge Kolsvik | – Music |
| Ablie Saidy | – Music |
| Mette Brantzeg | – Dramaturge |
| Erik Annar Evensen | – Stage design |
| Hilde Skancke Pedersen | – Costume design |
| Kurt Hermansen | – Lighting design |
| Niels Aage Windberg Jensen | – Light |
| Bernt Bjørn | – Actor (Tua) |
| Stein Bjørn | – Actor (Jong) |
| Kristin Eriksen Bjørn | – Actor (Mid) |
| Anitta Suikkari | – Actor (Finsk mor) |
| Ola Røe | – Photo |
| Trond A. Eriksen | – Technician |
| Knut Steinlien | – Technician |
Writer unknown, text titled Nitusenbyen premiereklar (literally: The nine thousand town is ready for its opening), 18.05.1989, Nordlys [Tromsø]:
"The performance is a mix of action and non-action, of drama and non-drama - a mix of genres - hard to solve, says instructor Mette Brantzeg. [...] And of humour and sobriety, interrupts actress Kristin Eriksen**. [...] Poetic documentary, the five others suggest. Political content, but unlike the political theatre of the 1970es, with a readymade solution, Brantzeg makes clear. [...] The way we live and the consequences of it is said to be the main element of the piece."
**The actress referred to as Kristin Eriksen is now named Kristin Eriksen Bjørn, Sceneweb's comment.
Writer and date unknown, Klassekampen [Oslo]:
"Each apart the two Tromsø companies have performed exciting and innovative theatre. With NitusenByen they have gathered forces in an ensemble with lots of vitality, sensuality, poetry and theatrical explosiveness."