Askeladden og de 100 hjelperne* (The Ash Lad and the 100 helpers)

In Askeladden og de 100 hjelperne* (The Ash Lad and the 100 helpers) by The Puppetry Company Kattas Figurteater Ensemble the princess is abducted by the troll during her 16th birthday. The audience follows Per, Pål and Espen The Ash Lad on the journey through free her.

Askeladden og de 100 hjelperne by The Puppetry Company Kattas Figurteater Ensemble is a production for the young and the old, school children and adults. The opening took place in Engø gård, during Vestfold International Festival.

In the version of Askeladden og de 100 hjelperne by The Puppetry Company Kattas Figurteater Ensemble 100 guests (i.e. the audience) are invited to celebrate the birthday of the princess, to dance, and to pay tribute to her. The king welcomes the guests, the castle orchestra plays, the princess wanders around. Then, without forewarning, the troll stretches his giant hand into the area, grabs the princess and runs off with her.

The king decides that the one who can free the princess from the troll is to wed her and get half the kingdom as a dowry. Per and Pål and Espen the Ash Lad accept the mission and the 100 guests join to assist.

Norwegian folk culture is recognisable in all that is told, played or performed in Askeladden og de 100 hjelperne by The Puppetry Company Kattas Figurteater Ensemble. But all of the contributors have added personal, modern twists, developing the story. The Puppetry Company Kattas Figurteater Ensemble performs with puppets in different sizes, and in addition the puppeteers perform as actors, mime actors and dancers.

Sources: The Puppetry Company Kattas Figurteater Ensemble, http://www.kattas.no/katta/?page_id=45, 21.11.2010

Vestfold International Festival, http://www.vestfoldfestspillene.no/program/detaljer/kattas_figurteater_ensemble/84, 21.11.2010

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