Den Nationale Scene

Den Nationale Scene
Den Nationale Scene in Bergen

Den Nationale Scene is the largest theatre in Bergen, Norway. Den Nationale Scene is also one of the oldest permanent theatre in Norway.[1]

Contents

History

Den Nationale Scene at night

Founded under the name Det Norske Theatre in 1850, the theatre has roots dating back to its founding on the initiative of the Norwegian violinist Ole Bull. The theatre was founded to develop Norwegian playwrights. Henrik Ibsen was one of the first writer-in-residences and art-directors of the theatre.[2]

In 1909, The National Theatre moved into the new theater building at Engen. The current theater building was designed by Einar Oscar Schou, and opened 19 February 1909 with a production of Erasmus Montanus by Ludvig Holberg. King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud were in attendance. It soon became apparent that the building was too small. In 1913 the company bought Ekserserhuset Jonsvoll to use it as a warehouse. In 1920, an extension was built to the northwest. Over the years the building has undergone major changes, extensions, renovation, restoration and stage technical modernization. The foyer and the hall were destroyed during the Second World War, and only temporarily restored.[3]

The Theatre experienced a pre-war high point during the period 1934-39 under the leadership Hans Jacob Nilsen. Especially noteworthy was the 1935 premiere of the play Vår ære og vår makt ("Our Honor and our Power") by Nordahl Grieg.

In 2001 the building was brought almost to its original shape. Today the theatre houses three stages/ venues and presents approximately 20 productions each year, both international and national classics, musicals and contemporary drama, as well as children's theatre. Since 1993, the theatre has been state property.[4]

Directors of the Theatre

Ole Bull's Plass and Den Nationale Scene in Bergen Norway
Den Nationale Scene in Bergen
  • 18901895 Johan Irgens-Hansen
  • 18951898 Olaf Hansson
  • 18991900 Hans Aanrud
  • 19001905 Gustav Thomassen
  • 19051907 Anton Heiberg
  • 19081909 Olaf Mørch Hansson
  • 19101924 Ludvig Bergh
  • 19241925 Christian Sandal
  • 19251931 Thomas Thomassen
  • 19311934 Karl Bergmann
  • 19341939 Hans Jacob Nilsen
  • 19391946 Egil Hjorth-Jenssen
  • 19461948 Stein Bugge
  • 19481952 Georg Løkkeberg
  • 19521961 Per Schwab
  • 19611963 Bjarne Andersen
  • 19631967 Gisle Straume
  • 19671976 Knut Thomassen
  • 19761982 Sven Henning
  • 19821986 Kjetil Bang-Hansen
  • 19861996 Tom Remlov
  • 19961997 Ketil Egge
  • 1997 Aksel-Otto Bull
  • 1998 Lars Arrhed
  • 19982001 Bentein Baardson
  • 20012007 Morten Borgersen
  • 2008Bjarte Hjelmeland

See also

References

  1. ^ "Welcome to Den Nationale Scene" (in Norwegian). Den Nationale Scene. http://www.dns.no/default.asp?kat=10. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 
  2. ^ Henrik Ibsen/utdypning (Store norske leksikon)
  3. ^ Den Nationale Scene (Store norske leksikon)
  4. ^ Hartvedt, G. H. (1999) [1994], "Nationale Scene, Den", in Arntzen, J. G.; Hanssen, R. (in Norwegian), Bergen Byleksikon, Bergen: Kunnskapsforlaget, p548, ISBN 82-573-1036-0 

Further reading

  • Aarseth, Asbjørn (1969) (in Norwegian). Den Nationale scene: 190131. Oslo: Gyldendal. 
  • Nygaard, Knut (1977) (in Norwegian). Den Nationale scene: 19311976. Oslo: Gyldendal. ISBN 978-82-05-10827-1. 
  • Paulson, Andreas (1932) (in Norwegian). Komediebakken og Engen: femti års teatererindringer. Oslo: Gyldendal. 
  • Grøndahl, Carl Henrik (1996) (in Norwegian). Avmaktens dramatikk: Bergensprosjektet Den Nationale Scene 19861996. Oslo: Aschehoug. ISBN 978-82-03-26146-6. 

External links

Coordinates: 60°2335N 5°1912E / 60.393°N 5.320°E / 60.393; 5.320