| Title | File type | Publiseringsdato | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season program BIT Teatergarasjen the autumn of 2007 | 2007 | Download |
The Orchestra
In The Orchestra (2007) by Jo Strømgren Kompani the remains of a popular music orchestra are suffering from a serious hangover somewhere deep into the Finnish woods.
The lead singer has left for a solo career in the big city and all they can do is wait and hope for her return. Money has run out, bottles are empty, and the desire to sing is long gone. If a miracle should happen, the timing could not be better. Then one day, a train suddenly stops.
Often one has to hit rock bottom to find the profound values. This is what the performance is about - the sad life and some good reasons to live it. The blue Monday morning feeling is the National Holiday of Finland, and the geographic and cultural frame is chosen deliberately.
Information
(Objekt ID 962)| Object type | Production |
| Premiere | May 2007 |
| Produced by | Jo Strømgren Kompani |
| Coproducers | BIT Teatergarasjen, The Norwegian Touring Theatre (Riksteatret), Bergen International Festival, Rogaland Theatre |
| Audience | Adults, Youth |
| Language | Gibberish and English |
| Keywords | Theatre, Dance theatre |
| Running period | May 1, 2007 — December 4, 2008 |
| Duration | 65 minutes |
| Website | Jo Strømgren Kompani |
Requirements to venue
| Minimum stage width | 12m |
| Minimum stage depth | 9m |
| Blackout | Yes |
| Rigging time | 620 minutes |
| Downrigging time | 60 minutes |
Beyond Jo Strømgren Kompani’s familiar hybrid of dance, theatre and live music, The Orchestra contained large doses of pseudo-authentic Finnish speak. The exploration of nonsensical languages as a stage language is a trademark for the company and the invitation to associate freely was as open as it always is. Tervetuloa!!! (Welcome in Finnish).
The Finnish stereotype is strong, at least in Europe. Headless drinking, bottomless pessimism, the everlasting conversation pauses. But still with a mysterious ability to party like no other. The real identity of Finns is more subtle, of course, but this show played actively on general preconceptions. Apart from being a tribute to music and musicians, it was also a tribute to the Finnish perspective on life.
A crisis most places is not necessarily a crisis in Finland. They have a different way of accepting unexpected shifts in either society or spiritual life. As if life is more guaranteed to go on in Finland than other places. Even though it may be ever so heavy and depressing. For non-Nordic viewers, the show has proven to be somewhat of an inspiring perspective on existential themes.
Hitting rock bottom in a cosmopolitan melting pot is radically different from the pitless empty-bottled depression of the rural North-East. For Nordic viewers, to whom the friendly mockery of Finns is a genre in itself, the performance has proven to go beyond normal limits, practically on the verge of being unacceptably indecent. But just on the verge – Finnish audiences themselves have warmly embraced the show.
The Orchestra by Jo Strømgren Kompani was supported by Arts Council Norway and the municipality of Bergen.
Source:
Jo Strømgren Kompani, jskompani.no, 08.08.2010, http://jskompani.no/productions/14
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Jo Strømgren | – Direction |
| Jo Strømgren | – Choreography |
| Jo Strømgren | – Stage design |
| Cathrine Gudmestad | – Costume |
| Ken Ruben Theodorsen | – Sound design |
| Lars Årdal | – Sound design |
| Stephen Rolfe | – Lighting design |
| Ulla Marie Broch | – Actor |
| Ingrid Enger Damon | – Actor |
| Hanne Gjerstad Henrichsen | – Actor |
| Gunhild Aubert Opdal | – Actor |
| Jo Strømgren | – Props |
| Knut Bry | – Photo |
| Hans Jaran Skogen | – Sound technician |
| Ken Ruben Theodorsen | – Sound technician |
| Leila Sunniva Berg | – Lighting technician |
| Lise Risom Olsen | – Lighting technician |
| Solfrid Glesnes | – Producer |
| Tine Rude | – Producer |
| Ann-Christin Danhammar | – Administration |
| December 4, 2008 – Hovedscenen, Dansens Hus | Show |
| December 3, 2008 – Hovedscenen, Dansens Hus | Show |
| June 17, 2008 – Herøyahuset, Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival (Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival) | Show |
| June 16, 2008 – Herøyahuset, Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival (Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival) | Show |
| April 7, 2008 – Nordanåteatern | Show |
| April 5, 2008 – Norrbottensteatern | Show |
| April 2, 2008 – Christinasalen (The Christina Venue), Arena Piteå | Show |
| March 1, 2008 – Teatern, Inkonst | Show |
| February 26, 2008 – Biscenen i Gamle Kristiansand Teater/kulturhuset Teateret | Show |
| February 14, 2008 – Amfiscenen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre | Show |
| Navember 11, 2007 – BIT Teatergarasjen | Show |
| Navember 10, 2007 – BIT Teatergarasjen | Show |
| Navember 9, 2007 – BIT Teatergarasjen | Show |
| June 4, 2007 – BIT Teatergarasjen | Show |
| June 3, 2007 – BIT Teatergarasjen | Show |
| May 2007 | Worldwide premiere |
| Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival | June 16, 2008 |
Writer and date unknown, Morgenbladet [Oslo]:
"A wonderful, absurd experience that appeals to the joyful pessimist in us all."
Writer and date unknown, Svenska Dagbladet [Sweden]:
"The Orchestra is a tragicomic gem."
Writer and date unknown, Stavanger Aftenblad [Stavanger]:
"It’s raw, vulgar and hysteric and you can’t do anything but laugh."