Alt for vitenskapen* (Everything for Science)

At the website of Grenland Friteater the following, among other things, is written about Alt for vitenskapen* (Everything for Science):

"This is the story of the brilliant scientist who made the industrial adventure Norsk Hydro possible, but who was almost forgotten after his death. Not many people know the exciting, colourful drama and his tragic destiny. 'This story has actually taken place, and the persons taking part has actually lived', writes biographer Lucy Jago.

We bring the audience along on a journey from a mountaintop in Finnmark, via the University of Oslo and a factory hall in Notodden to the Egyptian dessert. We are drawn into the actions and get to be close to Birkeland's ground-breaking experiments.

Alt for vitenskapen is for youth as well as adults, and will be filled with action, drama, humour and great emotions. It takes use of fire, smoke, video installations and lighting effects, and is given a soundtrack of industrial noise and recently written music. During the theatre festival in Porsgrunn the production is to be performed in exciting surroundings in the industrial area of Herøya.

Produced in collaboration with Sanden kulturupplivingar."

SOURCES:

Import from the Scenekunst.no list of openings08.04.2016 

Grenland Friteater, www.grenlandfriteater.no, 25.05.2016, http://pitfestival.no/forestillinger/grenland-friteater-alt-for-vitenskapen

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

Lillian Bikset, Oppfinneren framstilles som utnyttet, paranoid idealist (literally: The inventor is presented as a paranoid idealist taken advantage of), Dagbladet June 8 2016:

"The story of Birkeland's life is the basis for Alt for vitenskapen* (Everything for Science), but Tor Arne Ursin and Leif Arild Sanden have taken certain artistic liberties in the storytelling. Not least the liberty to simplify. Persons and conflicts both become a bit too one-dimensional. (...) Birkeland (Ekblom) is presented as hard-working and socially naïve. An idealist who is taken advantage of, who eventually slides into intoxication and paranoia. The Hydro founder Eyde (Sanden) is presented as a cynical crook who pressures and betrays his companion. Wife Ida is lonely, overlooked and slightly calculating, whereas girlfriend Hella (both Høgli) is a sly seducer, more than slightly calculating. The assistants Sæland, Næss and Devik (all Løberg) are interchangeable helpers who follow Birkeland's instructions in awe of his superior intellect. (...) Likely, Ursin and Sanden have wanted to make Birkeland's scientific breakthroughs available to the audience, but the transitions between technical terminology and personal statements often seem contrived, as points at two different checklists put together. The words often sound as if there are exclamation marks behind them, and the acting, too, is done with exclamation marks - very clear gestures."

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