Alfie Atkins
From the production From Alfie Atkins (2000), Høyt og lavt med Albert Åberg* (High and low with Alfie Atkins, 2005) and Alberg Åberg gir seg aldri* (Alfie Atkins never gives up, 2019), Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre), Trikkestallen
Alfie Atkins was the main puppet in Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre)'s production by the same title. The theatrical adaptation was done by Stein Kiran, from stories from the book series by Gunilla Bergström. The translation was done by Tor Åge Bringsværd. Per Horn was responsible for the stage design, the puppet designer and puppet maker was Helena von Bergen, and Stein Kiran directed the production. The premiere took place September 8, 2000, at the puppet theatre in Oslo City Museum, Frogner.
In 2005, the puppet theatre presented a new version of Alfie Atkins, called Høyt og lavt med Albert Åberg* (High and low with Alfie Atkins). The artistic team was more or less the same as in the 2000 production (see Sceneweb's entries about the different productions).
Yet another new version of Alfie Atkins was produced in 2019, titled Albert Åberg gir seg aldri* (Alfie Atkins never gives up). The playwright, stage designer and puppet designer were the same as in the earlier productions. The opening took place April 11, 2019, in Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre)'s venue Trikkestallen.
The three productions were in part based on different books from the series. See the entries about each production.
*Not yet translated into the English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.
Information
(Objekt ID 105367)| Object type | Puppet |
| Production date | September 8, 2000 |
| Category | Bunraku style puppet |
| Themes | Children |
| Size | Approximately 60-65 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.
Knut Wiulsrød played the role of Alfie Atkins in all three productions, from 2000 to 2019.
SOURCES:
Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre). Knut Wiulsrød.
Donated by: Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre). Knut Wiulsrød.
Transported 15.10.2020.
Alfie's head was cut from Styrofoam and fortified with cotton gauze and glue. The outer surface was polished and painted. The shape of the head was round, with some tufts of hair sticking out from the top. The eyes were marked with black pupils in polished glass. The costume consisted of a brown jumper and orange pants, and the pants were short. Alfie wore orthopaedic shoes in leather.
The design was faithful to the illustrations in the books.
Alfie was a simplified Bunraku-style puppet with a solid handle fastened at the back of the puppet's head, onto which the puppeteer could hold. This handle was the puppeteer's only steering tool. The puppeteer used his other hand to steer the puppet's one hand or arm, and to other functions to give life to the puppet onstage. The puppeteer was more or less visibile during the performance.
Alfie's skeleton was likely a shoulder area, to which the arms were fastened. Between the shoulder area and the hips, the puppet was flexible, so that it could bend without problems. Alfie's hips were massive, possibly built from wood, to make up a solid hold for his legs. They were jointed in the upper thighs, by the knees and the ankles.
| Per Horn (person) | – Stage designer |
| Helena von Bergen (person) | – Designer, Puppet Maker |
| Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre) (organization) | – Creator |
| Alfie Atkins (production) | – Bunraku style puppet |
| Høyt og lavt med Alberg Åberg* (High and low with Alfie Atkins) (production) | – Bunraku style puppet |
| Albert Åberg gir seg aldri* (Alfie Atkins never gives up) (production) | – Bunraku style puppet |