The International Ibsen festival
The International Ibsen Festival is biennially, with the next International Ibsen Festival taking place 23rd August-9th September 2012.
The International Ibsen Festival has come of age and has presented a dynamic programme for over 20 years. During the festival, audiences may enjoy the most outstanding dramatic art from seven different countries and three continents for no less than 17 days.
No playwright has createda more lasting impression at the National Theatre than Henrik Ibsen. The plays of Ibsen are some of the most frequently performed and most visited performances put on by theatres both at home and abroad. The establishment of the Ibsen Festival in 1990 has helped introduce the National Theatre to an international arena. During the Festival the National Theatre produces its own Ibsen productions for all of its stages and at the same time hosts foreign and Norwegian guest performances. It also holds international seminars, guided tours, concerts and readings.
The 2012 programme will be announced the 15th March, with the winner of the International Ibsen Award announced the 20th March, Ibsen's birthday.
To give a flavour of what the festival is about, some information about the 2010 festival:
About The International Ibsen Festival 2010
The audience was able to gauge how Ibsen productions were staged both in Norway and abroad and several plays were texted in English. On 8th and 9th September it was also possible to attend the Skien International Ibsen Conference. Additionally, on 10th September, there was an opportunity to meet Jon Fosse, the winner of that year’s International Ibsen Award.
View the full programme of The International Ibsen Festival or download the catalogue.
During The International Ibsen Festival there will be an opportunity to make new acquaintances – such as the Daniel Veronese – and to welcome back other familiar faces like the German Thomas Ostermaier, known among Norwegian audiences for his powerful, contemporary interpretations of Ibsen. From China, we welcome Lin Zhaohua, who is regarded as one of China’s most prominent directors and, from India, an enchanting, visual presentation of When We Dead Awaken, as interpreted by the highly renowned director Ratan Thiyam. Time Out New York has nominated Daniel Veronese as one of the finest contemporary directors and during The International Ibsen Festival we will be able to enjoy his condensed version of Hedda Gabler. We are also fortunate in welcoming The Lady from the Sea, on a visit from Greece, under the direction of Eirik Stubø. From Sweden comes a charming role play with Ghosts, in which all roles are played by two bearded men from Teatr Weimar. The programme also includes contributions from independent Norwegian groups such as Grusomhetens Teater, Ingun Bjørnsgaard Prosjekt and Røde Rom.
Other events
In addition, we will be offering discussions and meetings with artists and experts, as well as some surprising stunts and
skits. The final weekend of the festival is on 10th September when Jon Fosse is presented with the International Ibsen Award.
Four premieres
Last, but by no means least, there will be four premieres of our own productions: The Ibsen machine, under the direction of Sebastian Hartmann, A Doll’s House, under the direction of Laurent Chétouane, Hedda Gabler, under the direction of graduate student Peer Perez Øian and The Father by August Strindberg, under the direction of our own house director Victoria Meirik.
Twenty years of The International Ibsen Festival
In connection with The International Ibsen Festival’s twenty year anniversary, Keld Hyldig, drama professor, who in 2006 won
the Norwegian Shakespeare and Theatre periodical’s essay competition on the Ibsen Tradition in Norway, has summarised the
International Ibsen Festival. In his article he asserts that since the festival was established in 1990, it has contributed
to the success of stage direction in Norway. What had previously been regarded by a script and actor-orientated theatre-going
public as directorial indulgence is now recognised as an art form in itself. Hyldig summarises thus: “It is difficult to predict
how Norwegian stage direction and portrayals of Ibsen will develop in the future. However, there is reason to believe that
a new level of openness and positive interaction has been established between several younger directors and actors. Many people
seem to realise that strong and creative stage direction is as important to the theatre as gifted actors and that it is the
collaboration between these respective parties, as well as all the other parties that contribute to the theatre, such as set
designers, musicians, dramatists, etc – not forgetting the audience – that ensures the development of new and exciting dramatic
art". You can read the whole article here or in the catalogue.
Artistic and General Director: Hanne Tømta
Festival Director: Runi Sveen - runi.sveen@nationaltheatret.no
Festival Producer: Tove Lewin - tove.lewin@nationaltheatret.no
Technical Producer: Jan Ingierd
