The Real Joneses

The Real Joneses (2016) was a theatre production by The Norwegian Theatre, based on the play by Will Eno. The production was performed in the theatre's venue Scene 3.

Anders T. Andersen directed it.

Information

(Objekt ID 52306)
Object type Production
Premiere January 23, 2016
Produced by The Norwegian Theatre
Based on The Real Joneses by Will Eno
Audience Adults
Audience size 893
Number of events 15
Language Norwegian Nynorsk
Keywords Theatre
Running period January 23, 2016  
Website Det Norske Teatret
More

At the website of The Norwegian Theatre the following, among other things, is written about The Real Joneses:

"Why is it so hard to find the right words? What do we do when language fails us? We keep trying. This is what playwright Will Eno examines in his everyday-philosophical and at times absurd comedy, attempting to figure out who the Joneses really are. Through letting a new friendship between two neighbouring couples unfold in front of the audience, the text reveals aspects of us that are easily recognisable.

(...)

Will Eno's The Realistic Joneses is an unexpected Broadway success. The original production included Michael C. Hall (Dexter, Six Feet Under) in one of the leading roles. The Norwegian Theatre is first in Europe in staging it. The play has won Drama Desk Award, been named 'Best play on Broadway' by USA Today, topped The Guardian's list of American plays in 2014 and was on New York Times' list of 'Best Theatre of 2014'."

SOURCES:

The Norwegian Theatre, www.detnorsketeatret.no, 22.10.2016, http://www.detnorsketeatret.no/framsyningar/johnsen-og-johnsen-i-live/

Import from the Scenekunst.no list of openings 05.01.2016

Contributors (14)
Name Role
Will Eno – Playwright
Marita Liabø – Translation
Anders T. Andersen – Direction
Ola E. Bø – Dramaturge
Anette Hellenes – Costume (Kostymekoordinator)
Marit Adeleide Andreassen – Actor (Jennifer)
Ulrikke Hansen Døvigen – Actor (Pony)
Svein Roger Karlsen – Actor (John)
Per Schaanning – Actor (Bob)
Åse-Berit Litleskare – Props
Hedda Rønneberg – Stage manager
Dag Jenssen – Photo
Pelle Dengsø – Stage Manager
Tryggve Ildahl – Stage Manager
Performance dates
January 23, 2016 18:30 – Scene 3 (tidligere Prøvesalen), The Norwegian Theatre National premiere, Norway
Press coverage

Lillian Bikset, Velformulert teater om ordenes utilstrekkelighet (literally: Well phrased theatre about the inadequacy of words), Dagbladet January 23 2016:

"It would have been easy to call the dialogue in The Real Joneses absurd. But 'absurd' doesn't cover it. One could rather say that it demonstrates the inner logic of irrationality, and the many ways human beings fail in communication with one another and in understanding one's self. Between nonsensical non-starters, digressions and mental flights, four persons reveal their innermost fears, wishes and disappointments. This way, the significant is at one and the same time laid bare and camouflaged. What should be perceived as deep and what should be perceived as superficial doesn't just depend on what is said, but also on how much of the unsaid the listener hears, and which and how many impulses one filters out. (...) The men of the play - Bob (Per Schaanning) and John (Svein Roger Karlsen) - who are neighbours carrying the same family name, not relatives - suffer from the same disease, a syndrome that breaks down the nervous system and attacks the linguistic centre in the brain. They relate to it in different ways. Bob lets his wife, Jennifer (Marit Adeleide Andreassen), take care of all inconveniences, whereas John hasn't even told his (Ulrikke Hansen Døvigen). The spectator understands that in each of the couples, one party has the role of 'the grownup' and another as 'the child'. But this, as we are to see, doesn't necessarily mean that 'the adult' has less of a need for the other."