The Hemulin
From the production From Who will comfort Toffle?, Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre)
The Hemulin (Norwegian: Hemulen) was one of the puppets in Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre)'s production Who will comfort Toffle?. It was adapted from Tove Jansson's book by Anne Karen Hytten, based on the translation by André Bjerke. The stage designer was Per Horn, and Kari Noreger was responsible for the puppets, based on Tove Jansson's illustrations. Anne-Karen Hytten directed the production. Its world premiere was October 3 1998, at Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre)'s puppetry venue.
Information
(Objekt ID 100469)| Object type | Puppet |
| Production date | October 3, 1998 |
| Category | Mask |
| Themes | Children |
| Size | Approximately 180-185 centimetres tall |
| License | Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre). Copyright. |
Teaterfigur
Teaterfigurer, bedre kjent som teaterdukker, har spilt på norske scener i generasjoner, til stor glede for publikum i alle aldersgrupper.
In the performance program, the director writes the following: "It could be rich in comfort if there was, in the books of one's childhood, somebody who was even more scared than oneself. And when Toffle manages through the book, it is as if one has fixed things oneself. It is about how one, just when one is afraid, can become terribly brave. And about having to give each other comfort at times."
Sceneweb refers to the other puppets registered in the database from the same production. They are Toffle (Norwegian: Knøttet), Miffle (Norwegian: Nurket) and Mrs. Fillyjonk (Norwegian: Filifjonk).
The Hemulin was played by Hans Rønningen.
SOURCES:
Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre). Performance program.
Donated by: Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre). Knut Wiulsrød.
Transported 27.05.2020.
The Hemulin (Norwegian: Hemulen) was made in form of a head mask. In other words, the head of the puppeteer was inside the mask. This mask could have been cast from a clay form, or it could have been cut from plastic foam. On the surface, the mask was covered by a fluffy fabric. The Hemulin wore a costume, a long red cape.
The mask formed The Hemulin. It required stylised movements, coordinated with the physical expression of the body. A puppeteer wearing a head mask usually needs to move carefully, due to reduced eyesight. Heat inside the mask may also be a challenge.
| Per Horn (person) | – Stage designer |
| Kari Noreger (person) | – Puppet Maker |
| Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre) (organization) | – Creator |
| Who will comfort Toffle? (production) | – Mask |