Trost i taklampa* (Blackbird in the Chandelier)

At the webpage of The Norwegian Theatre the following, among other things, is written about Trost i taklampa* (Blackbird in the Chandelier):

"In the year of the Prøysen anniversary his main work, the novel Trost i taklampa, is adapted for the theatre anew, by Kristin Auestad Danielsen.

Alf Prøysen's only novel became an enormous sales success, and with Asbørn Toms Prøysen made an adaption for the theatre, opening at The Norwegian Theatre in 1952, two years after the novel had been published. The movie and the musical version from 1963 may be at least as well-known as the novel today, but a new adaption is what is scheduled Scene 2 this spring, albeit one with an unmistakable musical echo from the singer-songwriter Alf Prøysen.

Class struggle
The story is a real kick in the groin of the landowning farmers who hold the rural proletariat down in miserable conditions, and the intellectuals giving ideological back-up to them through their romanticising of the village life and their moral warnings against fleeing the villages. Against these Prøysen sends the rebel Gunvor Smikkstugun, 'The Gaping Blackbird', in her red dress. But the rebel is brutally put in place by village bigotry.

The flight from the village
It is in the middle of the harebell blossoming week, the sun shines almost 24/7, there are white turnips to be picked, backs are sweaty, plans for Saturday are to be made. Gunvor Smikkstugun (Charlotte Frogner) has moved to the city and found a job. Now she is visiting her home village as her vacation, and she is looking forward to revisit with family, old friends and foes. At the same train is the well-known poet Lundjordet (Hallvard Holmen), who was once a servant at Smikkstad. He is to lecture about 'The flight from the village'. Gunvor and Lundjordet both want to open the eyes of the villagers - but each in their own distinct way."

Originally Cecilie Mosli was meant to direct the production, but The Norwegian Theatre switched directors during the rehearsal period, and Marit Moum Aune took over.

SOURCES:

Einar Dahl's private archive, donated by Einar Dahl, 08.02.2015

The Norwegian Theatre, www.detnorsketeatret.no, 28.03.2014, http://www.detnorsketeatret.no/index.php?option=com_play&view=play&playid=416

Import from the Scenekunst.no list of openings 05.02.2014

The National Library of Norway, performance program transferred to Sceneweb 13.08.2017.

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