Alone in the World (AKA Nobody's Boy)

At the webpage of The Norwegian Theatre the following, among other things, is written about Alone in the World:

"As a young boy the foundling Remi is sold to Father Vitalis, because his foster father can no longer feed him. Remi travels with Vitalis and his animals and must entertain people to make money for food and a bed. In the musical Alone in the World the audience follows the two of them on a long journey and experience the ward friendship arising.

But where does Remi come from, and who is threatening his life? Why did he disappear from his home in England aged one, and why did he show up with the poor Mother and Father Barberin in France? Will Remi ever find his way home?

The Norwegian Theatre offers an excellent ensemble with ten dancers and a large orchestra. Here you can experience large show numbers in classical musical style, beautiful ballads, a lot of characters and costumes typical of their era. The action is set during the late 1800es. We experience the alleys of London and idyllic scenes from the French countryside; visit markets and meet the fat lady, the Siamese twins and the tallest man in the world, and get a glimpse of the elevated life on the Milligan Mansion in England.

Fourth musical from Øystein Wiik and Gisle Kverndokk

Øystein Wiik and the composer Gisle Kverndokk began their collaboration with the musical version of Jostein Gaarder's prize-awarded, popular novel Sophie's world. The play has been a great success in Germany, and was followed by Dangerous Liaisons and Vincent.

Wiik, Kverndokk and a classic

Librettist Øystein Wiik was taken from The Norwegian Theatre to Vienna and London after his singing performance in Les Misérables. The production in 1988 was a crucial point in Norwegian musical history and in Wiik's career. The production made Oslo the musical city number one in the Nordic countries, and made Wiik a star on the musical sky. He has worked a lot in Germany, only broken up by the role of Sweeney Todd and a role in Elvira Madigan at The Norwegian Theatre. The idea and adaption of Alone in the World he shares, as so often before, with his wife Inger Schjoldager.

Gisle Kverndokk is one of the most versatile composers in Norway. He has written operas for Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation as well as the stage, and in 2005 the opera The Fourth Night Watch will premiere at The Norwegian National Opera. He has long experience with theatrical scores. At The Norwegian Theatre he has composed music for the revue Tusen år og like blid* (One Thousand Years and Just as Jolly) as well as for Caligula and As You Like It. Gisle Kverndokk also has been given several awards for his work, domestically and abroad.

Hector Malot

Hector Malot (1830-1907) wrote approximately 70 novels. Today he is best remembered for the three childhood stories Romain kalibris (Romain kalibris AKA Ronnie AKA The Adventures of a Runaway by Land and Sea, 1869), Sans famille (Alone in the World AKA Nobody's boy 1878) and En famille (The Adventures of Perrine AKA Nobody's girl 1893). Alone in the World still is one of the most popular books for children in France. It has been published in 50 editions, at the time it was published it was given an award by The French Academy and it is translated into and regarded as a classic in several languages. Several adaptions of the book have been made, for radio, film and TV. The story of Remi was first published in Norway as early as 1879, and it has been translated and published several times since then."

SOURCE:

The Norwegian Theatre, detnorsketeatret.no, 16.10.2012, http://www.detnorsketeatret.no/index.php?option=com_play&view=play&playid=277

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