The Happy Place

The Happy Place by Ingri Midgard Fiksdal Dans was a dance theatre performance about happiness and absence of happiness. It was partly based on the novel by Mette Karlsvik Vindauga i matsalen vender mot fjorden* (The windows of the canteen overlooks the fiord) and had its world wide premiere in Teatret Vårt (Our Theatre) in Molde in August 2006.

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

Information

(Objekt ID 1179)
Object type Production
Premiere August 2006
Produced by
Coproducers Teatret Vårt (Our Theatre)
Based on Vindauga i matsalen vender mot fjorden by Mette Karlsvik
Audience Adults, Youth (from 16)
Language Norwegian
Keywords Dance theatre
Running period August 2006  
Duration 45 minutes

Requirements to venue

Minimum stage width 8m
Minimum stage depth 8m
Minimum stage height 4m
Blackout Yes
Rigging time 120 minutes
Downrigging time 60 minutes
Audience 300
More

The Happy Place was Ingri Midtgard Fiksdal’s choreographic debut after she and two classmates had been the first in Norway to graduate from Oslo National Academy of the Arts with master’s degrees in choreography.

In the dance production The Happy Place an energetic, spastic and fumbling dance expression was emphasised. The performers were in a space framed by helium balloons and live video projection. The production included texts written by Endre Ruset and Mette Karlsvik and the dancers sang odd karaoke versions of old hits. The Happy Place was a production aiming to call on laughter and sorrow at the same time.

The project was supported by Arts Council Norway, The Fund for Performing Artists, The Audio Visual Fund and the county of Møre og Romsdal.

Source:

Vallat, Marianne Dyrnes, Kristian Seltun and Nina Magnus (2007). Black Box Teater Oslo: Program spring 2007. Black Box Teater Oslo [Oslo]

Contributors (9)
Name Role
Mette Karlsvik – Text
Endre Ruset – Text
Ingri Midgard Fiksdal – Choreography
Dave Black – Music
Håkon Mathias Vassvik – Actor
Sophie Arstall – Dancer
Janne-Camilla Lyster – Dancer
Laura Navndrup Pedersen – Dancer
Ingri Midgard Fiksdal – Producer
Performance dates
April 29, 2007Store scene Black Box Teater (Marstrandgata) Show
April 28, 2007Store scene Black Box Teater (Marstrandgata) Show
April 27, 2007Store scene Black Box Teater (Marstrandgata) Show
April 26, 2007Store scene Black Box Teater (Marstrandgata) Show
December 1, 2006 11:00 – Rom for Dans Show
August 2006Parken kulturhus, Ålesund Worldwide premiere
Festivals (1)
Showbox December 1, 2006
Press coverage

"Original effects, stylish use of music and good dancers."

Karin Rykkje, Sunnmørsposten

"An enjoyment of pure body art bordering the breakneck."

Ole Foss, Romsdals Budstikke