Those who live
Those who live, a disaster in four scenes by Wetle Holtan and directed by Franzisca Aarflot, had its world wide premiere in The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) the spring of 2002.
One cabin, three persons. An existential drama about life on the outer edge.
Information
(Objekt ID 8221)| Object type | Production |
| Premiere | January 12, 2002 |
| Produced by | The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) |
| Coproducers | Gilded Balloon |
| Based on | Those who live by Wetle Holtan |
| Audience | Adults, Youth |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Keywords | Theatre |
| Running period | January 12, 2002 |
| Duration | 50 minutes |
| Website | Det Åpne Teater, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Gilded Balloon |
Requirements to venue
| Blackout | No |
An English-language version of the play Those who live by Wetle Holtan and directed by Franzisca Aarflot was performed during the summer of 2002 in Edinburgh Fringe Festival and during the autumn of 2002 in The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) in coproduction with Gilded Balloon.
The play Those who live takes place at an undetermined time, probably after a big disaster, and Smuck and Buss are shut in a house with only biscuits to eat, confined to each other’s company. A third person happens to enter.
Source: The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater), Archive, Those who live
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Wetle Holtan | – Playwright |
| Franzisca Aarflot | – Direction |
| Yngve Berven (from January 12, 2002 to January 17, 2002) | – Actor |
| Mai Lise Rasmussen (from January 12, 2002 to January 17, 2002) | – Actor |
| Robert Skjærstad (from January 12, 2002 to January 17, 2002) | – Actor |
| January 17, 2002 – Hallen, The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) | Show |
| January 16, 2002 – Hallen, The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) | Show |
| January 15, 2002 – Hallen, The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) | Show |
| January 14, 2002 – Hallen, The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) | Show |
| January 13, 2002 – Hallen, The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) | Show |
| January 12, 2002 – Hallen, The Open Theatre (Det Åpne Teater) | Worldwide premiere |
"This is not an easy play to understand, but is an unusual adventure for those willing to consider what life might be like after life has ended for the world, and is chilling in an unstable political climate. The ending seems to offer no comfort, at all."
British Theatre Guide
"There is no doubt which tradition Wetle Holtan writes his way into. This is theatre inspired by Samuel Beckett’s world of language, the way we know it from Waiting for Godot, and both action and ambience is completely after the book of Samuel. (...) If Holtan finds his own universe the next time, outside the frames of Beckett, it will be more exciting."
Dagbladet, Andreas Wiese. Review titled Lovende teaterøvelse (literally: Promising theatre exercise)
"Those who live is dramatically arranged on its own terms, and offers a text satiated with life of its own. It is an effectful and not just a little obsession-inducing play."
Dagsavisen, Bengt Calmeyer. Review titled De overlevende (literally: The survivors).
"It can seem as if the political theatre is about to start moving again. But it still has troubles finding a contemporary form. (...) The play doesn’t go in depth in the challenging topic it touches, but as a workshop work created within strict frames and short rehearsal time the production definitely suffices."
Aftenposten, Elisabeth Rygg. Review titled Dyster fremtidsfabel i kaldt landskap (literally: Dark future fable in cold landscape).