The Frost-haired and the Dream-seer

The Frost-haired and the Dream-seer, also known using the Sami title Ridn'oaivi ja nieguid oaidni, (2007) was a theatre production by The Norwegian National Sami Theatre Company Beaivváš Sámi Našunálateáhter. The Frost-haired and the Dream-seer was based on a text by Nils Aslak Valkeapää. The production was produced in 2007 and revived in 2013.

Haukur J. Gunnarsson directed it.

Kurt Hermansen og Roger Ludvigsen were nominated for The Hedda Award 2014 in the best audiovisual design category.

A shortened version of the production, called Áillohaš, directed by Rolf Degerlund, was performed as a visiting performance at The Norwegian Theatre during the festival Heddadagene 2018.

Information

(Objekt ID 39607)
Object type Production
Original title Sami title: Ridn’oaivi ja nieguid oaidni
Premiere March 2, 2007
Produced by The National Sami Theatre
Based on The Frost-haired and the Dream-seer by Nils Aslak Valkeapää, Nils Aslak Valkeapää
Audience Adults
Language Northern Sami
Subtitles Norwegian Nynorsk
Keywords Musical theatre, Noh-theatret, Dream Play, Dance theatre
Running period March 2, 2007  
Duration 75 minutes
Website Hålogaland Teater
More

The Frost Haired and the Dream Seer by The Norwegian National Sami Theatre Company Beaivváš Sámi Našunálateáhter describes a meeting between a young reindeer shepherd and Ridn'oaivi, a Sami name meaning The Frost Haired, referring to an old wise man.

The audience is not supposed to know if the old man is a dream vision, a spirit, a noaidi from a forgotten past, or a figment of the imagination of the reindeer shepherd.

The play is built on traditions from Japanese Noh theatre, with Joik and music.

SOURCES:

Beaivváš, http://www.beaivvas.no/web/?giella1=, 28.10.2010, http://www.beaivvas.no/web/index.php?odas=104&giella1=nor

The Hedda Award, heddaprisen.no, 19.05.2014, http://www.heddaprisen.no/pub/heddaprisen/main/?aid=1215

The Arctic Theatre, halogalandteater.no, 01.08.2017, http://halogalandteater.no/produksjon/2007/den-rimharede-og-drommeseeren

The Norwegian Theatre, www.detnorsketeatret.no, 12.07.2018, https://www.detnorsketeatret.no/framsyningar/aillohas/

Performance dates
June 16, 2018Scene 3 (tidligere Prøvesalen), The Norwegian Theatre (Heddadagene) Show
September 9, 2017 New opening
October 24, 2013Scene 3 (tidligere Prøvesalen), The Norwegian Theatre Show
October 23, 2013Scene 3 (tidligere Prøvesalen), The Norwegian Theatre Show
June 7, 2013Thon Hotel Kautokeino, The National Sami Theatre New opening
June 4, 2008Lofoten Trålerrederi (Stamsund Teaterfestival) Show
March 15, 2007Scene Øst, Hålogaland Teater, The Arctic Theatre Show
March 14, 2007Scene Øst, Hålogaland Teater, The Arctic Theatre Show
March 2, 2007 Worldwide premiere
Festivals (2)
Heddadagene June 16, 2018
Stamsund Teaterfestival June 4, 2008
Press coverage

Elisabeth Leinslie, En drøm i livet (literally: A dream in life), Norsk Shakespeare- og teatertidsskrift no. 2-3/2007:
"In The Frost-haired and the Dream-seer, heritage from the Sami and the Japanese cultures is mixed. The most remarkable is the textual form, written in a mix of verse and prose, with joik mixed in. [...] We recognize this form of mixed text not just from old narration traditions, but also newer forms of drama. [...] This is the first time the work is performed outside of Japan. [...] If we disregard the dance, the whole of the performance is a strength. Valkeapää called the work a poetry concert, and that is a good term for the production of it, too, in which the emphasis is on the poetic and the music. [...] With Valkeapää's world music, the joik and the acting, this creates an ambience of old cultural traditions - Sami and intercultural, as if an old dream is awakened and penetrates life."