Blue is the Smoke of War

Blue is the smoke of war by Grenland Friteater presented the work of Georg Johannesen in four parts or movements like in a musical piece:

First movement – Autumn (Adagio): took the audience into China during the Táng dynasty through the words of master poet Tu Fu. The topics were not poetic: Fall, age, war, famine, disease lack of emotion, spiritual emptiness, resignation, indifference.

Second movement – Winter (Allegro ma non troppo): took place in Norway during the fifties and had the form of a cabaret. The singer/performer sang of the “good times”.

Third movement – Spring (Scherzo): The scherzo was more directly concerned with the political situation in Norway and took advantage of the satirical power of Georg Johannesen: "Of all the people in the whole world it is the Norwegians who have dreamt the most beautiful dream about life".

Fourth movement – Summer (Allegro con brio): placed the audience in the garden of Greek philosopher Epicurus with the motto: "Do not fear death, do not fear God. Pleasure will then be easily found, pain easily overcome".

Source: Grenland Friteater, grenlandfriteater.com, 18.08.2010, http://www.grenlandfriteater.com/show_details.asp?ID=1012