The Tone Was All She Needed
The Tone Was All She Needed(2006) is a production by Fabula by Eva Dons. The Tone Was All She Needed is a musical monologue about homesickness and the desire to leave.
The Tone Was All She Needed is based on the poems in the collection A Little Green Picture in a Big Blue Frame by Herbjørg Wassmo and the music is written by songwriter Petter Henriksen.
Information
(Objekt ID 2193)| Object type | Production |
| Premiere | 2002 |
| Produced by | Fabula |
| Based on | Lite grønt bilde i stor blå ramme by Herbjørg Wassmo |
| Audience | Youth, Adults (from 12) |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Keywords | Musical theatre, Monologue, Poetry event |
| Running period | 2002 |
| Duration | One hour |
| Website | Eva Dons websider, Hålogaland Teater |
Requirements to venue
| Minimum stage width | 5m |
| Minimum stage depth | 6m |
| Lights requirements | Will be agreed upon between the group and the organiser. |
| Audio requirements | If the room demands it. Will be agreed upon between the group and the organiser. |
| Blackout | Yes |
| Rigging time | 60 minutes |
| Downrigging time | 30 minutes |
| Audience | 300 |
| Other | A room with digital light board is needed, i.e. a cultural centre. We would prefer to perform on the same surface as the audience, i.e. the floor. We'd rather perform without a sound system, but this depends on the size of the room and the audience number. This is an intimate performance in which the stage and theatre hall is the same space. |
In The Tone Was All She Needed by Fabula the actress and the musicians bring the audience along on a philosophical journey in childhood memories and the desire to visit the unknown world beyond the mountains and the sea. The music by Petter Henriksen is mainly concerto music, but also includes theatre music in the intersection between classical music, the singer/songwriter tradition and cabaret.
The woman is longing for her childhood home, but she doesn’t want to move back. During her reflections, she discovers the child still being inside of her, whose childhood emotions she still has as an adult. But where is home? Is home where "the tone" is? And what is this tone? Have you kept the vibrations singing in you when you were born, vibrations you need to search for to feel balanced for the rest of your life?
Quote from the performance, translated to English for Sceneweb by Lillian Bikset:
"She went home and felt as if she was away, she went away and felt as if she was at home. So she stayed and was at home when away, when away was when she had to go to get home."
The Tone Was All She Needed by Fabula was revived and adjusted for international performances in 2011 under the title Below the Edge of the Ice.
The Tone Was All She Needed by Fabula was supported by The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel grant/performing arts).
Sources:
Eva Dons’ webpage, 14.12.2010, http://www.evadons.no/Produksjoner.htm
Performing Arts Hub Norway, 14.12.2010, http://www.danseogteatersentrum.no/sck/members.shtml?lang=nor&sam=&cat=&gen=&cou=&cri=Fabula&aid=91&prid=1&act=prod
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Herbjørg Wassmo | – Author |
| Eva Dons | – Script |
| Petter Henriksen | – Composer |
| Petter Henriksen | – Music |
| Halldis Hoaas | – Dramaturge |
| Johanne Marie Hansen-Krone | – Visual design (Illustrasjoner) |
| Morten Reppesgård | – Sound design |
| Eva Dons | – Actor |
| Jan Olav Renvåg | – Musician (Bass) |
| Morten Reppesgård | – Musician (Pianist) |
| October 30, 2011 – Kazantsev Centre for Contemporary Drama and Directing | Show |
| October 29, 2011 – Kazantsev Centre for Contemporary Drama and Directing | New opening |
| March 22, 2007 – Scene Øst, Hålogaland Teater, The Arctic Theatre | visiting performance |
| March 21, 2007 – Scene Øst, Hålogaland Teater, The Arctic Theatre | visiting performance |
| March 20, 2007 – Scene Øst, Hålogaland Teater, The Arctic Theatre | visiting performance |
| May 31, 2006 | Show |
| October 15, 2003 – Malersalen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre | visiting performance |
| 2002 (Arctic Arts Festival) | Worldwide premiere |
| Arctic Arts Festival | 2002 |
Elisabeth Rygg, 17.10.03, Aftenposten [Oslo]:
"Warm and poetical about longing. Eva Dons shine from an inner glow. It is obvious that the actress has found the tone of the material. With a lot of joy of life she describes a child feeling different, who feels that life will something about her, if she dares to liberate to go her own ways. The music of Petter Henriksen slides into the complete image in an evocative manner. The production is a reminder of roots and origin, and it leaves an impression."
Ola Bruun, date unknown, Harstad Tidende [Harstad]:
"Successful, absolutely! Eva Dons has qualities within this field and can safely move on to new big assignments."