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.
More

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

Contributors (10)
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)
Performance dates
October 30, 2011Kazantsev Centre for Contemporary Drama and Directing Show
October 29, 2011Kazantsev Centre for Contemporary Drama and Directing New opening
March 22, 2007Scene Øst, Hålogaland Teater, The Arctic Theatre visiting performance
March 21, 2007Scene Øst, Hålogaland Teater, The Arctic Theatre visiting performance
March 20, 2007Scene Øst, Hålogaland Teater, The Arctic Theatre visiting performance
May 31, 2006 Show
October 15, 2003Malersalen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre visiting performance
2002 Worldwide premiere
Festivals (1)
Press coverage

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."