Det var ikke meg* (It wasn’t me)

Det var ikke meg* (It wasn’t me) by The Stage Company finds itself in the intersection between musical theatre and workshop. The children have to contribute their own statements, experiences, opinions and attitudes to illuminate and solve the conflicts in the performance. The children are challenged to exchange opinions, take responsibility and solve conflicts of their own.

After the performance the children brings the impressions they got from Det var ikke meg to the class rooms to keep working with the issues. A wide selection of the children’s work is published on the internet.

A bit about Det var ikke meg: With song, music, puppetry, games and clowning Finken & Felix invite the children into a intimate, concrete themed production about caring. Det var ikke meg is humour with serious intent.

Finken and Felix start arguing after Appe shows up and becomes a friend of the submissive and insecure Felix. The conflict locks completely. Hence the children have to enter the storytelling box (like a Speaker's Corner of the children’s own, a part of the production). On it they tell stories related to being shut out, being teased or other nasty situations – situations they have been victim to or situations they have observed. Next, the children are to suggest how to solve their own conflicts and the conflict between Finken and Felix.

Children in primary school age are of an age group which can be influenced to feel the confidence to speak freely and enter dialogue in conflicted situations. With Det var ikke meg The Stage Company wishes to contribute to this. It is a touring performance, performed in Norwegian schools.

Source: The Stage Company, http://www.scenekompaniet.no/ ,25.11.2010

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

"The pupils line up to get atop of the storytelling box to speak their minds."

Bergens Tidende, Cathrine Hansen, November 27 2002