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Theatre
in
Iceland
2004
/
2006
The
Icelandic
Theatre
Association
/
The
Icelandic
Centre
of the
ITI
Theatre in Iceland 2004 - 2006
Theatre in Iceland 2004 – 2006.
Editor:
Gréta María Bergsdóttir
Design and layout:
Fridrik Snaer Fridriksson / [email protected]
Front page photo: Arnaldur Halldórsson
Published by The Icelandic Theatre Association ITI
& The Ministry of Culture and Education.
Printed by Prentmet.
2
Theatre in Iceland 2004 - 2006
3
Contents
4 Introduction by
Vidar Eggertsson President of the Icelandic Centre of ITI
New Icelandic Theatre
Productions 2004 – 2006
5
92
The National Theatre of Iceland
22 The Reykjavik City Theatre
29 The Akureyri City Theatre
32 The Iceland Dance Company
43 Hafnarfjörður Theatre Company
48 The Independent Theatres
Iceland Academy of the Arts - Students´ Theatre
95
98
99
Radio Drama
Television Drama
New Plays by Amateur Theatre Companies
101 The Icelandic
Theatre Awards – Gríman
105
Speeches on the occasion of The World Theatre Day
Welcome!
The purpose of this publication, is to offer a small insight into Icelandic theatre,
in the season 2004 – 2005 and 2005 – 2006. The main emphasis is on Icelandic plays performed in those years and almost all of them in premiere. The Icelandic theatre is a public
theatre, because the theatre enjoys popularity among the majority of the nation. People of
all ages and social classes attend the theatre in Iceland.That might explain why new Icelandic
plays often enjoy the most popularity.
Playwrighting is equally exuberant in the independent theatre groups as in the
institutions.The National Theatre alone premiered 14 Icelandic plays in the aforementioned
seasons. Even though the emphasis here is to give an account of new Icelandic plays, just
from looking at the programmes of the theatres, also published here, it is obvious that
Icelandic theatre’s selection of works draws inspiration from a variety of sources. Classical
plays as well as modern playwrighting. Dance theatre has been blooming year by year and
never have as many dance pieces been performed as the last couple of years. Thus, when
the Icelandic theatrical price, Gríman, was presented for the second time in 2004 it seemed
very appropriate that Sigridur Ármanns received an honorary price for her pioneering
work in the field of ballet. The honorary price of Gríman in 2005 was awarded to the actor,
opera singer and director Jón Sigurbjörnsson for his life work in the theatre, which obviously spans a wide-ranging field.
Icelandic Centre of the ITI has for the past two years hosted a lecture series; the
former on the status of the artist within the theatre from various perspectives. The latter
on the theatre artist in relation to current events in Icelandic society at that time. That
series of lectures had the heading “What has it got to do with us?” The Icelandic theatre
awards, Gríman, is our most extensive project and
detailed information on the awards for those two
years may be found in this publication. But the department also provides information on Icelandic
theatre and is an active participant in an international cooperation as well as in the Nordic cooperation of people of the theatre.
Honoured reader, it is my hope that this publication will provide an useful overview of the Icelandic theatre.
Enjoy!
Vidar Eggertsson
President / Icelandic Centre of the ITI
The National Theatre of Iceland
The National Theatre of Iceland has been a leading institution on the Icelandic theatre scene ever since it opened formally on 20 April 1950. Today the
theatre has three separate venues: the Main Stage (500 seats), the Black Box
(180 seats) and the Workshop Stage (150
seats). Between ten and fourteen plays The National Theatre’s role is to:
Stimulate interest in theatre and
are premiered each season, comprising a
dramatic arts among Icelanders, with a
varied repertoire of new Icelandic works, varied selection of
new foreign works, Icelandic and foreign productions;
classics, musicals, operas and children’s Encourage domestic playwrighting and
productions. The artistic director of the other dramatic creation, as well as inthe National Theatre from 2005 is Tinna creased co-operation among dramatic
Gunnlaugsdóttir.
artists;
Promote the development of
dramatic arts by emphasising
professionalism in production
and artistic expression;
Develop youngsters’ appreciation of
the theatre through productions especially intended for
children and youth;
Foster discussion and creative theatre
development projects in co-operation
with schools,
organisations and institutions;
Provide access to professional theatre
throughout Iceland through tours and
co-operative
programmes.
The National Theatre
6
The Ties
Between
Us
by
Kristján
Thórdur
Hrafnsson
Böndin
á milli
okkar
She is a young film director who
is prepared to risk everything to
let her dreams come true. He is a
young actor, popular and successful,
but tormented by an inner conflict.
Then there are their friends and
family who know and do not know.
How far can you go to yield to another person’s will? What does it
mean to control your own life? An
impressive play about power and
powerlessness in human relations.
Actors:
Fridrik Fridriksson
Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir
Rúnar Freyr Gíslason
Sólveig Arnarsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Ásmundur Karlsson
Costume designer:
Margrét Sigurdardóttir
Set designer:
Jón Axel Björnsson
Director:
Hilmir Snaer Gudnason
Small Stage - October 2004
The National Theatre
North
7
by
Hrafnhildur
Hagalín
Nordur
An airport – the passengers have
gathered with the sole purpose of
“leaving”. They are all on their way
“North” but this time the journey
will take them to hitherto unknown
places. Behind each face there is a
story, hidden secrets and turbulent
feelings. An impressive and original
new Icelandic play about life and
sorrow in modern society.
Actors:
Baldur Trausti Hreinsson, Björgvin Franz
Gíslason, Edda Arnljótsdóttir, Erlingur
Gíslason, Gudrún S. Gísladóttir, Halldóra
Björnsdóttir, Ívar Örn Sverrisson, Margrét
Gudmundsdóttir, Sigurdur Skúlason,
Valdimar Örn Flygenring,Vigdís Hrefna
Pálsdóttir, Thórunn Lárusdóttir,
Thröstur Leó Gunnarsson.
Sound designer:
Jón Hallur Stefánsson
Lighting designer:
Páll Ragnarsson
Costume designer:
Filippía I. Elísdóttir
Set designer:
Rebekka A. Ingimundardóttir
Director:
Vidar Eggertsson
Main Stage - October 2004
The National Theatre
8
Sprightly
for her
years
by
Audur
Bjarnadóttir
Ern
eftir
aldri
Dance theatre performance, performed by actors and dancers, in two parts. The first part
(I), Ef ég vaeri fugl (If I were a bird) is based on the poem From the Rainbow by Dorette
Egilsson, written in commemoration of children that have become victims of violence, with
music by Árni Egilsson. The second part (II), Sprightly for her years, is based on a documentary by Magnús Jónsson from 1974, not broadcast until 1988 because it was considered to
be too ironic towards the Icelandic way of thinking (text by Elísabet Jökulsdóttir).
Actors/dancers:
Arnbjörg Hlíf Valsdóttir, Astrós
Gunnarsdóttir, Baldur Trausti Hreinsson,
Cameron Corbet, Ívar Örn
Sverrisson, Jóhann Freyr Björgvinsson,
Kjartan Gudjónsson, Lovísa Gunnarsdóttir,
Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir, Ólafía Hrönn
Jónsdóttir, Ragnheidur Steindórsdóttir and
children.
Music:
Árni Egilsson (I)
/ Jóhann G. Jóhannsson (II)
Musical direction:
Hákon Leifsson (I)
Video design:
Ania Harre (I)
/ Elísabet Rónaldsdóttir (II)
Lighting design:
Ásmundur Karlsson
and Hördur Ágústsson
Designer:
Rebekka A. Ingimundardóttir
Choreographer and Director:
Audur Bjarnadóttir
Dance theatre, coproduced with
The Swallow Theatre
Main Stage - November 2004
The National Theatre
The Axe
and the
Earth
9
Adapted by
Hilmar Jónsson
from a novel by
Ólafur
Gunnarsson
Öxin
og
Jördin
Based on the award-winning novel The Axe and the Earth (The Icelandic Literary Prize
2003), this play deals with a turbulent and critical period in Icelandic history, when the
Icelandic nation was converted from catholicism to protestantism. The convertion was actually accomplished by the decapitation of the last Icelandic catholic priest, Jón Arason and
his two sons, in 1550. Through the personal stories of Jón Arason, his sons and family, the
religious and worldly leaders of the nation as well as common people, the play views questions of faith and scepticism, independence and oppression.
Actors:
Anna Kristín Arngrímsdóttir, Arnar Jónsson,
Arnbjörg Hlíf Valsdóttir, Atli Rafn Sigurdarson, Elva Ósk Gísladóttir, Erlingur Gíslason,
Gunnar Eyjólfsson, Hilmir Snaer Gudnason,
Hjalti Rögnvaldsson, Ingvar E. Sigurdsson,
Jóhann Sigurdarson, Kjartan Gudjónsson,
Kristján Franklín Magnús, Nanna Kristín
Magnúsdóttir, Rúnar Freyr Gíslason,
Sólveig Arnarsdóttir, Thórhallur Sigurdsson,
Thórunn Lárusdóttir, Thorvaldur Davíd
Kristjánsson.
Music:
Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson
Choreographer:
Sveinbjörg Thórhallsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Costume designer:
Thórunn María Jónsdóttir
Set designer:
Gretar Reynisson
Director:
Hilmar Jónsson
Main Stage - December 2004
The National Theatre
Slammer
10
by
Hávar
Sigurjónsson
Grjóthardir
A play about revenge and forgiveness. A play about five incarcerated men. Criminals all of them,
but some crimes have gone undetected until they find out from
each other. Should all crimes be
punished? Should the men deliver
the punishment themselves? Is forgiveness an option?
Actors:
Atli Rafn Sigurdarson, Gísli Pétur
Hinriksson, Hjalti Rögnvaldsson, Jóhann Sigurdarson, Pálmi Gestsson,Valdimar Örn Flygenring.
Music:
Hródmar I. Sigurbjörnsson
Lighting designer:
Ásmundur Karlsson
Designer:
Axel Hallkell
Production dramaturg:
Bjarni Jónsson
Director:
Hávar Sigurjónsson
Workshop Stage – February 2005
The National Theatre
Rude Lads and
Royal Ladies
The
Fairytale World of
H.C. Andersen
11
A play for
children
by
Ármann
Gudmundsson,
Saevar
Sigurgeirsson and
Thorgeir
Tryggvason.
Klaufar og
kóngsdaetur
- Aevintýraheimur H.C.
Andersens
A play with songs based on six fairytales by the Danish author H.C. Andersen; The Travelling Companion, The Swineherd, The Nightingale, The Little Match Seller, The Tinderbox
and Jack the Dullard. The stories were linked together by the author telling his stories and
the Ugly Duckling that transforms
into a swan at the end.
Actors:
Arnbjörg Hlíf Valsdóttir,
Bernd Ogrodnik,
Björgvin Franz Gíslason,
Kjartan Gudjónsson,
Randver Thorláksson,
Sigurdur Skúlason,
Unnur Ösp Stefánsdóttir,
Thórunn Lárusdóttir,
Örn Árnason.
Music:
Ármann and Thorgeir
Lyrics:
Ármann, Saevar and
Thorgeir
Musical direction:
Jóhann G. Jóhannsson
Lighting designer:
Páll Ragnarsson
Puppeteer:
Bernd Ogrodnik
Costume designer:
Thórunn E. Sveinsdóttir
Set designer:
Frosti Fridriksson
Assistant director and
Choreographer:
Aino Freyja Järvelä
Director and Choreographer:
Ágústa Skúladóttir
Main Stage – March 2005
The National Theatre
12
Dynamite
by
Birgir
Sigurdsson
Dínamít
“I am not a man. I am dynamite!”, said Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the most original of
19th-century thinkers. His revolutionary ideas about religion, ethics and philosophy had
an enormous influence on later generations. Strong women were very central in his life:
there was the brilliant and beautiful Lou Salomé and his jealous sister Elisabet, who played a
major role in distorting his ideas to fit in with the nationalist propaganda of fascists such as
Hitler and Mussolini. A powerful,
new, epic work about the man behind the ideas, his roaring love for
life, his pain and his genius.
Actors:
Baldur Trausti Hreinsson, Björn Thors,
Brynhildur Gudjónsdóttir, Elva Ósk
Ólafsdóttir, Gudrún S.
Gísladóttir, Hilmir Snaer
Gudnason, Ívar Örn
Sverrisson, Jóhannes
Haukur Jóhannesson,
Kjartan Gudjónsson,
Kristbjörg Kjeld,
Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir,
María Pálsdóttir, Nanna
Kristín Magnúsdóttir.
Music:
Jóhann Jóhannsson
Lighting designer:
Páll Ragnarsson
Video designer:
Arna Valsdóttir
Costume designer:
Filippía I. Elísdóttir
Set designer:
Thórunn Sigrídur
Thorgrímsdóttir
Director:
Stefán Baldursson
Main Stage - April 2005
The National Theatre
Rambo 7
13
by
Jón
Atli
Jónasson
Rambó 7
Honey, a young girl living in Reykjavik, wakes up in bed with a 50 year
old hustler and wanders downstairs to the kitchen. A young man,
Johnny, is waiting by the telephone.
Julli “psycho” is missing in Bosnia.
Pesi the mule arrives, constantly
trying to escape the dealers’ “bill
collectors”. How many Rambo
movies have you seen? Would you
like to have bacon and egg? Or a
broken leg? Don’t miss the play!
A freshly written new play by one
of our youngest playwrights, about
the young generation of today.
Actors:
Gísli Örn Gardarsson,
Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir, Ólafur Egill
Egilsson, Ólafur Darri
Ólafsson.
Music:
Gísli Galdur Thorgeirsson and
Vidar Hákon Gíslason
Lighting designer:
Hördur Ágústsson
Video designer:
Árni Sveinsson
Costume designer:
Thórunn E. Sveinsdóttir
Set designer:
Ólafur Jónsson
Director:
Egill Heidar Anton
Pálsson
Workshop Stage –
May 2004
The National Theatre
14
Laxness
in
Hollywood
by
Ólafur
Haukur
Símonarson
Halldór
í
Hollywood
A highly entertaining musical drama, portraying the Icelandic Nobel Laureate Halldór Laxness’s years in America. The young writer Halldór Kiljan Laxness, fired by an ambition to
conquer the world, headed for Hollywood in 1927, where he was determined to make a
name for himself as a movie script writer. Laxness mingled with the celebrities in Hollywood:
Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo and Sinclair Lewis. Laxness experienced the American Dream
and the backside of that same dream: the big strikes, the poor, the homeless and hungry
people; and at last the downfall of
Actors:
Music:
Atli Rafn Sigurdarson,
Árni Heidar Karlsson
Wall Steet. Laxness had to redisBaldur Trausti Hreinsson, and
cover that his way to integrity and
Edda Björgvinsdóttir,
Jóhann G. Jóhannsson
Margrét Kaaber, Jóhann
Musical direction:
real art was through his roots in
Sigurdarson, Kjartan
Árni Heidar Karlsson
Iceland.
Gudjónsson, María
Lighting designer:
Pálsdóttir, Ragnheidur
Steindórsdóttir, Randver
Thorláksson, Rúnar
Freyr Gíslason, Selma
Björnsdóttir, Unnur Ösp
Stefánsdóttir.
Páll Ragnarsson
Costume designer:
Thórunn E. Sveinsdóttir
Set designer:
Frosti Fridriksson
Assistant director:
Aino Freyja Järvelä
Director:
Ágústa Skúladóttir
Main Stage October 2005
The National Theatre
Freedom
15
by
Hrund
Ólafsdóttir
Frelsi
What can you do when no one
listens to you? When the injustice
is so overwhelming that you could
shout yourself hoarse – but you
have no voice? When the lie is so
vast that it smothers the life which
should be stretching out before
you? A play about young people
that live in a world where ideas
about justice can become dangerous.
Actors:
Anna Kristín Arngrímsdóttir, Arnbjörg Hlíf
Valsdóttir, Gísli Pétur Hinriksson, Ísgerdur Elfa
Gunarsdóttir, Lilja Gudrún Thorvaldsdóttir,
Ólafur Steinn Ingunnarson, Sigurdur Skúlason.
Music:
Hallur Ingólfsson
Lighting designer:
Sólveig Eggertsdóttir
Designer:
Ólafur Ísfjörd
Director:
Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
Workshop Stage – October 2005
The National Theatre
16
Searching
for
Christmas
by
Thorvaldur
Thorsteinsson
Leitin
ad
jólunum
(text)
and Árni Egilsson
(music)
Musicians:
Vadim Fedorov,
Darri Mikaelsson.
Music:
Árni Egilsson
Musical direction and
arrangements:
Davíd Thór Jónsson
Lighting designer:
Ásmundur Karlsson
Costume designer:
Thórunn E. Sveinsdóttir
Masks:
Stefán Jörgen Ágústsson
Set designer:
Geir Óttar Geirsson
Director:
Thorhallur Sigurdsson
November 2005
Actors:
Rúnar Freyr Gíslason,
Thórunn Erna Clausen,
Gudrún S. Gísladóttir,
Hrefna Hallgrímsdóttir,
Ísgerdur Elfa Gunnarsdóttir.
An advent fairy tale with new music for the popular Ballad of the
Yuletide Lads by Jóhannes úr Kötlum. The young theatre audience
takes a tour of the National Theatre, searching for Christmas in the
company of two funny fellows and
musicians. A story of Christmas
today and Yule of yore, complete
with the Icelandic Yuletide lads and
various otherworldly beings.
The National Theatre
17
Kitchen to
Measure
by
Vala
Thórsdóttir
Ordinary
Horror
Stories
Eldhús
eftir máli
– Hversdagslegar
hryllingssögur
This production is the theatre’s
tribute to the recently deceased
Icelandic writer Svava Jakobsdóttir.
She was a major influence on the
Icelandic society and literary culture in the 20th century. The play
is inspired by five short stories by
Svava which were known for being
absurd, grotesque and hard hitting
in their social criticism. Kitchen to
Measure is an invitation on board
of a rollercoaster which takes you
through absurd, grotesque, humorous and dramatic situations of entirely normal people.
Actors:
Aino Freyja Järvelä, Kjartan Gudjónsson, Margrét
Vilhjálmsdóttir, María Pálsdóttir, Unnur Ösp
Stefánsdóttir, Thórunn Lárusdóttir / (Sólveig
Arnarsdóttir,Vala Thórsdóttir)
Music:
Björn Thorarensen
Lighting designer:
Hördur Ágústsson
Costume designer:
Katrín Thorvaldsdóttir
Set designer:
Stígur Steinthórsson
Director:
Ágústa Skúladóttir
Workshop Stage – December 2005
The National Theatre
If I weren’t
dead, I’d
laugh now!
18
Nú skyldi ég
hlaeja,
vaeri ég ekki
daudur!
A devised children’s theatre
A new production for children in which all roles are played by the graduating students of
the Department of Drama of The Iceland Academy of the Arts. The play is based on Icelandic Folk Tales, but also inspired
Music:
Ragnhildur Gísladóttir
by cartoons, comics and films. It
Lighting designer:
is created in cooperation of the
Páll Ragnarsson
Costume designer:
group of actors, the director
Thórunn Elísabet SveinÁgústa Skúladóttir and the playsdóttir
Set designer:
wright Vala Thórsdóttir, exploring
Frosti Fridriksson
the comedy, the magic, the horScript supervisor and
Actors:
assistant director:
Birgitta Birgisdóttir, Dóra
ror and the mystery of the old
Vala Thórsdóttir
Jóhannsdóttir, Halldóra
Director:
Malín Pétursdóttir, Jörunstories. A play where trolls, elves,
Ágústa Skúladóttir
dur Ragnarsson, Magnea
princesses and very local hillbillies
Coproduced with The
Björk Valdimarsdóttir,
Iceland
Stefán Hallur Stefánsson,
meet and share their world with
Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson, Academy of the Arts
the audience.
Small Stage – May 2006
Vídir Gudmundsson.
The National Theatre
Metamorphosis
Poetry
in Motion
19
Conceived
and performed
by
Bernd Ogrodnik
Umbreyting
Ljód
á hreyfingu
What Poetry offers to Literature, Puppetry can bring to the Theater. “Metamorphosis” is a
collection of original short stories not told with words, but with the metaphorical grace of
Puppets. The context of the vignettes ranges from the trivial to the metaphysical. A strong
emphasis lies on imagery, made possible through the surrealistic quality inherit in Puppets.
“Metamorphosis” depicts the constantly changing nature of our existence and our perception. Nothing remains the same, and it does not matter what we see, but how we see it.The
cast consists of the most intricate
marionettes, masks and rod puppets carved of wood, as well as
unforgettable characters created
simply with silk scarves and the
hands and feet of the puppeteer.
Puppets, Set design and
Music:
Bernd Ogrodnik
Lighting designer:
Páll Ragnarsson
Costume designer:
Thórunn E. Sveinsdóttir
Director:
Ágústa Skúladóttir
Produced in co-operation with the Reykjavík
Arts Festival
Black Box –
May 2006
The National Theatre
The
National
Theatre
20
Season
2004-2005
Foreign Plays
and guest
performances
Black Milk
The Pillowman
Svört mjólk
Koddamadurinn
by Vasily Sigarev
Translation: Ingibjörg Haraldsdóttir
Sound designer: Sigurdur Bjóla
Lighting designer: Páll Ragnarsson
Costume designer: Filippía I. Elísdóttir
Set designer:Vytautas Narbutas
Director: Kjartan Ragnarsson
Workshop Stage – September 2004
by Martin McDonagh
Translation: Ingunn Ásdísardóttir
Music: Sigurdur Bjóla
Lighting design: Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson and
Ásmundur Karlsson
Puppets: Bernd Ogrodnik
Designer:Vytautas Narbutas
Director: Thórhallur Sigurdsson
Small Stage - April 2005
Nineteen Hundred – Novecento
Nítjánhundrud
by Alessandro Baricco
Translation: Halldóra Fridjónsdóttir
Music: Agnar Már Magnússon
Lighting designer: Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Set designer: Högni Sigurthórsson
Director: Melkorka Tekla Ólafsdóttir
Workshop Stage - November 2004
By the Bog of Cats
Mýrarljós
by Marina Carr
Translation: Árni Ibsen
Music: Atli Heimir Sveinsson
Lighting design: Björn B. Gudmundsson and Hördur Ágústsson
Costume design and masks: Thanos Vovolis
Vocal directon, Mask direction and Choreographer: Giorgios
Zamboulakis
Set designer: Jón Axel Björnsson
Director: Edda Heidrún Backman
Main Stage - February 2005
Guest performances:
The art of dying
Listin ad deyja
Pantomime by Kristján Ingimarsson
and Paolo Nani, from Denmark.
You know how things are
Thú veist hvernig thetta er
by the director and the group.
Amateur Production of the Year.
The University Theatre Group, Iceland.
The National Theatre
The
National
Theatre
21
Season
2005-2006
Foreign Plays
and guest
performances
The Threepenny Opera
– Die Dreigroschenoper
Eight Women – Huit femmes
Túskildingsóperan
by Robert Thomas
Translation, adaptation and lyrics:
Saevar Sigurgeirsson
Musical direction: Samúel Jón Samúelsson
Choreographer: Kristján Ingimarsson
Lighting designer: Hördur Ágústsson
Costume designer: Elín Edda Árnadóttir
Set designer: Jón Axel Björnsson
Director: Edda Heidrún Backman
Main Stage - March 2006
by Bertolt Brecht
Music: Kurt Weill
Translation: Davíd Thór Jónsson
Choreographer: Palle Dyrvall
Video designer: Gideon Kiers
Lighting designer: Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Sound direction: Sigurdur Bjóla
Musical director: Jóhann G. Jóhannsson
Costume designer: Rannveig Gylfadóttir
Set designer: Börkur Jónsson
Director: Stefán Jónsson
Main Stage – December 2005
The Project – Das Werk
Virkjunin
by Elfriede Jelinek
Adaptation: María Kristjánsdóttir
Translation of Das Werk: Haflidi Arngrímsson
Musical direction: Jóhann G. Jóhannsson
Choreographer: Audur Bjarnadóttir
Lighting designer: Adalsteinn Stefánsson
Costume designer: Filippía I. Elísdóttir
Set designer: Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Director: Thórhildur Thorleifsdóttir
Main Stage - March 2006
Peer Gynt
Pétur Gautur
by Henrik Ibsen
Translation: Karl Ágúst Úlfsson
Sound design: Sigurdur Bjóla and Ester Ásgeirsdóttir
Lighting designer: Páll Ragnarsson
Costume designer: Helga I. Stefánsdóttir
Set designer: Gretar Reynisson
Director and adaptation: Baltasar Kormákur
Black Box - March 2006
Átta konur
Celebration
Fagnadur
by Harold Pinter
Translation: Elísabet Snorradóttir
Lighting designer:
Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Costume designer: Rannveig Gylfadóttir
Set designer: Börkur Jónsson
Director: Stefán Jónsson
Main Stage - May 2006
Guest performances:
The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov and
Forever by Árni Ibsen from The Russian
Academic Youth Theatre RAMT, Moscow.
Paper Cut-outs (Papirklip), a Children’s
ballet from The Royal Danish Theatre
(Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen.
Brim by Jón Atli Jónasson, from Vesturport Theatre
Group, Iceland.
The Big Cry by Margrét Sigurdardóttir,
Multimedia performance.
Der Freischutz by Carl Maria von Weber from
The Summer Opera, Iceland.
Thuridur and Kambsránid by Sigurgeir Hilmar Fridthjofsson. Directed by Jón Stefán Kristjánsson. Amateur Production of the Year. Leikfélag Selfoss.
The Reykjavik City Theatre
The Reykjavik City Theatre boasts of an ensemble of 24 actors.The theatre has
built a varied repertoire of new Icelandic drama, other contemporary writing
and classics. Under the artistic direction of Gudjón Pedersen (since 2000/2001),
the company prides itself in the building
of a strong ensemble, the emancipation The Reykjavik City Theatre and the
Iceland Dance Company put on a yearof young writers and directors, and in the
ly Dance Theatre Competition, where
wide range of events presented; varying 9 choreographers get 25 hours with
from philosophical debates to rock con- actors and dancers to produce a 10
certs.
minutes piece, performed on the big
stage. The theatre is also proud of its
The Reykjavik City Theatre produces five yearly introduction of foreign writers:
to six new productions each year. The Ice- 4 writers from a selected country are
landic Dance Company (Id) is in residence translated into Icelandic and invited to
and moreover the theatre host produc- a staged reading of their play.
tions of various free theatre groups each
The Reykjavik City Theatre has the
season.
Main Stage (520 seats), the New stage,
a black box theatre (200 seats), a Small
Globe (150 seats) and a Café-Theatre.
The Reykjavik City Theatre
Where
the winds
dwell
&
The Tree of Life
23
by
Bödvar
Gudmundsson
Híbýli
vindanna
&
Lífsins
tré
The two plays are dramatisations
of the novels Where the winds
dwell (Híbýli vindanna) and The
Tree of Life (Lífsins tré) by Bödvar Gudmundsson, made by Bjarni Jónsson in collaboration with
Thorhildur Thorleifsdottir and
Vytautas Narbutas.
The plays reflect the condition of common people from Iceland after immigrating
to America in the late eighteen nineties and beginning of the nineteen century. We learn
about Olafur Jensson, an artistic person who has suffered hardship and poverty in Iceland.
After his family has been torn apart by social services he decides to immigrate to the new
world: America. Where the winds dwell tells the story of Olafur’s family on the hard and
cruel voyage to the new world. The Tree of Life is about his descendants and their lives in
the new world where they meet dreams and hopes, broken promises, longings and loss.
The Reykjavik City Theatre
24
Where
the winds
dwell
The Tree
of Life
Actors:
Bergur Thór Ingólfsson , Birna Hafstein, Björn Ingi
Hilmarsson, Gunnar Hansson, Gudmundur Ólafsson,
Halldór Gylfason, Halldóra Geirhardsdóttir, Hanna
María Karlsdóttir, Jóhanna Vigdís Arnardóttir, Katla
Margrét Thorgeirsdóttir, Margrét Helga Jóhannsdóttir, Pétur Einarsson, Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir,
Sveinn Geirsson, Theodór Júlíusson.
Children:
Árni Beinteinn Árnason, Gylfi Th. Gunnlaugsson,
Helena Kjartansdóttir, Ívar Elí Schweitz Jakobsson,
Jafet Máni Magnúsarson, Thorbjörg Erna Mímisdóttir.
Extras:
Benedikt Ingi Ármannsson, Gísli Rúnar Hardarson,
Hannes Óli Ágústsson,
Hinrik Thór Svavarsson.
Actors:
Björn Ingi Hilmarsson, Edda Björg Eyjólfsdóttir,
Eggert Thorleifsson, Gunnar Hansson, Halldór
Gylfason, Hildigunnur Thráinsdóttir, Sigrún Edda
Björnsdóttir, Sóley Elíasdóttir,Valur Freyr Einarsson, Thór Tulinius.
Hair&Makeup:
Sigrídur Rósa Bjarnadóttir
Choreographer:
Lára Stefánsdóttir
Music:
Pétur Grétarsson
Lighting designer:
Lárus Björnsson
Costume designer:
Filippía I. Elísdóttir
Set designer:
Stígur Steinthórsson
Director:
Thórhildur Thorleifsdóttir
October 2005 – New Stage
Music:
Pétur Grétarsson
Lyrics:
Bödvar Gudmundsson
Choreographer:
Cameron Corbett
Lighting designer:
Lárus Björnsson
Hair&Makeup:
Gudrún Thorvardardóttir
Costume designer:
Filippía I. Elísdóttir
Set designer:
Vytautas Narbutas
Director:
Thórhildur Thorleifsdóttir
January 2005 - Main Stage
The Reykjavik City Theatre
25
Tell
me
everything
by
Kristín
Ómarsdóttir
Segdu
mér
allt
The feelings, reality and imagination of a twelve year old girl, Gudrún Vilhjálmsdóttir, is the
subject of Segdu mér allt. Living with her parents, Halla and Vilhjálmur, - the sole spectator
of their marital complicacy – and grounded to a wheelchair she seeks freedom and love
through her imagination and the telephone lines. Behind the obvious feelings of love and
care, from parents to child, between strangers, from teachers to pupils, we sense something
different; an instrument of control? Sometimes a fantasy can turn into a nightmare. Other
characters in the play are the teacher Barbí and her husband Mark. In Gudrún´s remaining
childish way of thinking she fanActors:
Sound:
Álfrún Örnólfsdóttir, Edda
Jakob Tryggvason
tasises about Barbí and Mark as
Björg Eyjólfsdóttir, Ellert
Music:
heads of a foster home. On the
A. Ingimundarson, Marta
Hákon Leifsson
Nordal, Thór Tulinius.
Lighting designer:
stage Barbí and Mark gain life and
Kári Gíslason
influence. They become a deux ex
Hair&Makeup:
Gudrún Thorvardardóttir
machina in a twisted kind of way.
Set and costume designer:
Rebekka A. Ingimundardóttir
Director:
Audur Bjarnadóttir.
February 2005 –
New Stage
The Reykjavik City Theatre
Salka Valka
26
by
Halldór
Laxness
Salka Valka
dramatized by
Hrafnhildur Hagalín
The story depicts a young woman, Salka Valka, and a small fishing community in the village
Oseyri. We see Salka at the beginning of the play arriving by mail boat with her mother,
Sigurlina, in the rough-and-tumble fishing village of
Actors:
Oseyri. The piece focuses on the contrast between
Bergur Thór Ingólfsson, Birna Hafstein, Ellert A.
Ingimundarson, Gudmundur Ólafsson, Gudrún
timid, stolid Sigurlina, easy prey for every man she
Ásmundsdóttir, Halla Vilhjálmsdóttir,
meets, and self-sufficient Salka. After foiling an atHalldóra Geirhardsdóttir, Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir,
Kristján Franklín Magnús, Margrét Helga Jóhannstempted rape by the brutish fisherman Steinthor
dóttir, Marta Nordal, Pétur Einarsson, Sveinn
Steinsson, Salka joins the man she chooses, socialGeirsson, Theodór Júlíusson, Thórhallur Sigurdsson.
Music:
ist intellectual Arnaldur Björnsson, in a fishermen’s
Óskar Gudjónsson
strike against Oseyri’s merchant patriarch Johann
and Ómar Gudjónsson
Choreography:
Bogesen.
Lára Stefánsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Kári Gíslason
Costume designer:
Stefanía Adolfsdóttir
Set designer:
Jón Axel Björnsson
Director:
Edda Heidrún Backman
October 2005 - Main Stage
The Reykjavik City Theatre
The
Reykjavik
City
Theatre
27
Season
Foreign Plays
2004-2005
The Goat - or - Who Is Sylvia?
Terrorism
Geitin – eda – hver er Sylvía?
Terrorismi
by Edward Albee
Translation: Ingunn Ásdísardóttir
Lighting designer: Lárus Björnsson
Music: Úlfur Eldjárn
Set and costume designer:
Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Director: María Reyndal
September 2004 – New Stage
by Oleg & Vladimir Presnyakov
Translation: Jón Atli Jónasson
Sound designer: Helgi hok Hauksson Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Hair/makeup: Gudrún Thorvardardóttir
Costume designer: Stefanía Adolfsdóttir
Animation: Börkur Jónsson og Gideon Kiers
Set designer: Börkur Jónsson
Director: Stefán Jónsson
April 2005 – New Stage
Lapin Lapin
Héri Hérason
by Coline Serreau
Translation: Oddný Eir Aevarsdóttir
Sound: Davíd Thór Jónsson and
Helgi Svavar Helgason
Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Hair/Makeup: Gudrún Thorvardardóttir
Costume designer: Jón Sæmundur Audarson
Set designer: Börkur Jónsson
Director: Stefán Jónsson
October 2004 - Main Stage
A Dream Play
Draumleikur
by August Strindberg
Translation: Haflidi Arngrímsson
Adaptation: Benedikt Erlingsson
Ligthing designer: Lárus Björnsson
Hair/makeup: Gudrún Thorvardardóttir
Sound design: Pétur Thór Benediktsson
and Jakob Tryggvason
Music: Pétur Thór Benediktsson
Costume designer:
Stefanía Adolfsdóttir
Set designer: Grétar Reynisson
Director: Benedikt Erlingsson
March 2005 - Main Stage
The Reykjavik City Theatre
The
Reykjavik
City
Theatre
28
Season
Foreign Plays
2005-2006
Woyzeck
Ronja the Robber´s Daughter
by Georg Büchner
Translation: Jón Atli Jónasson
Voice coach: Ellen Newman
Music: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
Lighting designer: Lárus Björnsson
Costume designer: Filippía I. Elísdóttir
Set designer: Börkur Jónsson
Director: Gísli Örn Gardarsson
September 2005 - Main Stage
Ronja raeningjadóttir
Carmen
Musical based on the opera by Bizet
Manuscript: Gudrún Vilmundardóttir
Sound: Ólafur Örn Thoroddsen
Lyrics: Davíd Thór Jónsson,
Bergur Thór Ingólfsson, Frank Hall, Kristján Hreinsson, Sigrídur
Hagalín Björnsdóttir,
Sjón and Thorsteinn Valdimarsson.
Makeup: Sigrídur Rósa Bjarnadóttir
Lighting designer: Lárus Björnsson
Set and costume designer:
Helga I. Stefánsdóttir
Conductor: Agnar Már Magnússon
Choreography: Stephen Shropshire
Director: Gudjón Pedersen.
January 2006 - Main Stage
by Astrid Lindgren
Adaptation: Annina Enckell
Music and songs: Sebastian
Translation: Thorleifur Hauksson
Translation of lyrics:
Bödvar Gudmundsson
Music: Karl Olgeirsson
Sound designer: Jakob Tryggvason
Choreography: Ástrós Gunnarsdóttir
Makeup: Sigrídur Rósa Bjarnadóttir
Puppetry: Bernd Ogrodnik
Lighting designer:
Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Set and costume designer:
Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Director: Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir
February 2006 - Main Stage
Funny Money
Viltu finna milljón?
by Ray Cooney
Translation: Gísli Rúnar Jónsson
Lighting designer:
Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Costume designer:
Stefanía Adolfsdóttir
Set designer: Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Director: Thór Tulinius
May 2006 – New Stage
The Akureyri City Theatre
The Akureyri City Theatre is based in the north of Iceland and is the only
professional theatre outside of Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik. It is run with the
financial support of the town of Akureyri based on a contract with the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. The
theatre’s history goes back almost a cen- A great number of new Icelandic writing has been premiered at Akureyri
tury but it became a professional theatre
City Theatre and its artists regularly
in 1973. It is in the heart of Akureyri in a work with playwrights on developing
newly renovated theatre that seats 210 au- new works. The size of the permanent
dience members.Additionally the company ensemble varies from four to eleven
recently opened a new black box theatre artists. In addition to the produccalled The Space. Each year the company tion side, Akureyri City Theatre puts
stages four to seven productions inde- a heavy emphasis on theatre educapendently and in collaboration with other tion for children and youngsters and
companies as well as producing numer- works closely with schools and culture
ous shorter performances and programs. institutions on designing courses and
Through the decades the repertoire has workshops.
varied: Classical Icelandic and foreign plays,
Magnus Geir Thordarson has been
new Icelandic and foreign plays, children’s
the artistic director of Akureyri City
plays and musicals. The company focuses Theatre since 2004.
on modern works at the moment.
The Akureyri City Theatre
The
Akureyri
City
Theatre
30
Season
2004-2005
Foreign Plays
Betrayal
Oliver!
Svik
Óliver!
by Harold Pinter
Translation: Gunnar Thorsteinsson
Music: Gunnar Hrafnsson
Costume designer: Filippía Ingibjörg Elísdóttir
Set designer: Jón Axel Björnsson
Director: Edda Heidrún Backman
A co-production with Blueeyes Productions, Reykjavik City
Theatre and Theatre on the Scene.
October 2004 – Main Stage
by Lionel Bart
Translation: Gísli Rúnar Jónsson
Musical arranger: William David Brohn
Conductor: Gudmundur Óli Gunnarsson
Choreographer: Ástrós Gunnarsdóttir
Hair/Makeup: Frída María Hardardóttir
Lighting designer: Thórdur Orri Pétursson
Set and costume designer: Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Director: Magnús Geir Thórdarson
A co-production with the North Iceland Symphony
Orchestra.
December 2004 – Main Stage
Spoonface Steinberg
Ausa Steinberg
by Lee Hall
Translation: Jón Vidar Jónsson
Music: Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Set and costume designer: Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Director: María Reyndal
A co-production with the Reykjavik City Theatre.
November 2004 – Main Stage
The Chairs
Stólarnir
by Eugene Ionesco
Translation: Jón Vidar Jónsson
Music: Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Set and cosutme designer: Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Director: María Reyndal
A co-production with the Reykjavik City Theatre.
November 2004 – Main Stage
People next door
Pakkid á móti
by Henry Adam
Translation: Úlfur Eldjárn
Music and sound designer: Úlfur Eldjárn
Lighting designer:
Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Set and costume designer: Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Director: Agnar Jón Egilsson
April 2005 – Main Stage
The Akureyri City Theatre
The
Akureyri
City
Theatre
31
Season
2005-2006
Foreign Plays
Perfect Wedding
Little Shop of Horrors
Fullkomid brúdkaup
Litla Hryllingsbúdin
by Robin Hawdon
Translation: Örn Árnason
Lighting designer: Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Set and costume designer: Frosti Fridriksson
Director: Magnús Geir Thórdarson
October 2005 – Main Stage
A musical by Howard Ashman based on the film by
Roger Corman
Music: Alan Menken
Script: Charles Griffith
Translation: Einar Kárason
Translation of lyrics:
Magnús Thór Jónsson (Megas)
Artistic consultant: Snorri Freyr Hilmarsson
Sound designer: Gunnar Örn Sigurbjörnsson
Hair/Makeup: Ragna Fossberg
Choreographer: Ástrós Gunnarsdóttir
Puppetry: Bernd Ogrodnik
Lighting designer:
Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Set and costume designer: Halla Gunnarsdóttir
Musical director: Kristján Edelstein
Director: Magnús Geir Thórdarson
A co-production with the
Icelandic Opera Company.
March 2006 - Main Stage
Ladybird
Maríubjallan
by Vassily Sigarev
Translation: Árni Bergmann
Music and sound designer: Hallur Ingólfsson
Lighting designer: Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Set and costume designer: Halla Gunnarsdóttir
Director: Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
February 2006 – Black Box
The Iceland Dance Company
The Iceland Dance Company is an independent public institution with residence
at the City Theatre in Reykjavík, one of Europe’s finest theatres for dance.
The National Theatre of Iceland founded the company in 1973.
Under the artistic direction of Katrín Hall
since 1996, the company has focused ex- The company consists of nine to fourteen dancers, all sharing a background
clusively on contemporary dance, consisin classical training but retaining a
tently building a repertoire of choreogra- pronounced individuality. The group
phy by many of Europe’s leading modern has emerged as an exciting and critichoreographers.
cally acclaimed contemporary dance
The Iceland Dance Company, ID, is the company.
national institution of Iceland responsible In 2005 the Iceland Academy of the
for developing, creating and nurturing con- Arts started a new dance department,
temporary dance and choreography. ID in collaboration with Iceland Dance
puts special focus on new creations in Company. There are 6 students taking
dance as well as developing partnerships classes with the company and working
and collaborations with other artistic sec- on projects within the company.
tors, in particular music. ID is recognized ID’s repertoire includes choreography
by Rui Horta, Jirí Kylián, Jochen Ulrich,
as a contemporary dance company on a
Jorma Uotinen, Richard Wherlock, Ed
world-class scale.
Wubbe, Itzik Galili, Stijn Celis, Didy
Veldman and Rami Be’er, as well as
work by Icelandic choreographers
such as Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir and Lára
Stefánsdóttir.
The Iceland Dance Company
33
We are all
Marlene
Dietrich
FOR
by
Erna
Ómarsdóttir
and
Emil
Hrvatin
We are all Marlene Dietrich FOR is created by Erna Omarsdottir and Emil Hrvatin, together with Icelandic, Slovenian, Belgian and French dancers, musicians and performing artists. This challenging and poetical piece is expressed through dance, theatre and live music.
The piece deals with the relationship between the artist and the soldier, entertainment for
soldiers and is a reflection of the artists themselves on their position in our society.
We are all Marlene Dietrich FOR is a “performance
for soldiers in peace keeping missions, for everyone
who cares, and for everyone who doesn’t care.”
Besides being a superstar, Marlene Dietrich is also
known as probably the most famous troops entertainer in 20th century. Both American and German
soldiers liked her. For her, entertaining the troops was Created and performed by:
Peter Anderson, Lieven Dousselaere, Alix
a moral question for the artist and her way of fighting. Eynaudi, Alexandra Gilbert, Katrín Ingvadóttir,
We are all Marlene Dietrich FOR takes Dietrich’s case Gudmundur Elías Knudsen, Erna Ómarsdóttir,
Frank Pay, Diederik Peeters,
as the starting point to raise questions on the relation Valgerdur Rúnarsdóttir.
Music created and performed by: PONI
artist – soldier.
Additional music:
Laibach
Costume designer:
Elena Fajt
Lighting designer:
Miran Šušteršic
Technical director:
Benedikt Axelsson
Assistant director:
Mare Bulc
Sound designer:
Xavier van Wersch
Video:
Jure Novak, Mare Bulc, Emil Hrvatin
Video filming:
Matjaž Mrak, Marko Kovacic, Chris Richter, Rok
Sieberer, Emil Hrvatin.
Video editing:
Urban Potocnik
Video produced by VPK, Ljubljana
Produced by Iceland Dance Company and Maska
Production
February 2005 Reykjavik City Theatre (New Stage)
The Iceland Dance Company
34
Open
Source
by
Helena
Jónsdóttir
“Man ´s greatest gift is his vast capacity for learning from his environment”
-Desmond Morris
In Open Source, Iceland’s leading dance-theatre artist, Helena Jónsdottir, is sharing with us
some of the discoveries made by a thoughtful and observing individual alone the way. In
this uniquely transparent and yet complex performance, she invites us not only into her
own library of possibilities, but opens up endless other sources as well. In a collaboration
based on trust and mutual respect, she has created a well of energy that everybody in the
stage can recognize as their own. And, accordingly,
you have been given something you already had. That
is with great artists do. They remind you that you are
the creator of your own world, equipped with every
tool and material you choose to use. Nothing more,
nothing less.
Open Source won the first prize in the Icelandic Dance/Theatre
competition in June 2003. Since then Helena has developed the
piece further and made an Irish version of it, which was premiered
at the Galway Arts Festival 2004. Helena is creating a new fulllength version of Open Source for The Iceland Dance Company.
Director and choreographer:
Helena Jónsdóttir
Music and sound:
Skúli Sverrisson
Costumes and set designer:
Filippía Elísdottir
Video:
Dodda Maggí
Text:
Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson
Lighting designer:
Kári Gíslason
Dramaturgy:
Steinunn Knútsdóttir
Performance Technique:
Kári Halldór
Choreographer’s assistant:
Jóhann Freyr Björgvinsson
Music performed by:
Ólöf Arnalds,
Kjartan Valdimarsson, Hilmar Jensson
Performers:
Adalheidur Halldórsdóttir, Gudrún Óskarsdóttir, Hjördis Lilja Örnólfsdóttir, Philip Bergmann, Sigrún Edda Björnsdottir, Steve Lorenz,
Yaniv Cohen.
February 2005 - Reykjavik
City Theatre (Main stage)
The Iceland Dance Company
Ball game
Four dancers in a new face, one red ball, one blue
ball, four small balls, a dash of playfulness and a
spoonful of creativity.
All mixed together with brilliant dance movements
and the final result is a 15-minute wonderfully clever
dance piece!
Confessions of an
amnesiac
A new choreography by Jóhann Freyr Björgvinsson,
at the Klink&Bank gallery, created as a part of Iceland
Dance Company’s choreographic workshop. Johann’s
choreography deals with the human ability to block
out uncomfortable memories in order to survive.
Once the amnesiac decides to confess, how can he?
35
by
Katrin
Hall
Music:
Jóel Pálsson
Lighting designer:
Benedikt Axelsson
Dancers:
Gudmundur Elías Knudsen, Katrín Ingvadóttir,
Steve Lorenz, Hjördís Lilja Örnólfsdóttir
May 2004 - Reykjavík Arts Festival
by
Jóhann
Freyr
Björgvinsson
Artistic guidance:
Filippía Elísdóttir
Music:
David Thór Jónsson
Dancers:
Adalheidur Halldórsdóttir,
Cameron Corbett, Gudrún Óskarsdóttir, Hjördís
Lilja Örnólfsdóttir,
Lovísa Gunnarsdóttir and
Steve Lorenz.
April 2005 - Klink&Bank Gallery
The Iceland Dance Company
36
D&D
con fuoco
stringendo
by
Karen
María
Jónsdóttir
Performers:
Lovísa Gunnarsdóttir,
Adalheidur Halldórsdóttir
and Sibylle Köll .
June 2005 - Performed in Hlemmur, central bus
station.
In D&D con fuoco stringendo,
dance and opera is combined. Pop
music, karokee and opera, conflict
and competition.The choreograghy
is created as a part of Iceland
Dance Company’s choreographic
workshop.
Hindarleikur
Dancers:
Students of The Academy of
the Arts, dance department:
Bára, Katrín, Thórey, Sigrídur
Soffía, Snaedís, Ásgerdur.
Music:
Borko
March 2006
– Domssalurinn,
National Theatre of Iceland
by
Gunnlaugur
Egilsson
Hindarleikur is created for the
dance students of the Iceland
Academy of the Arts. This choreographic workshop is a co-production of Iceland Dance Company
and the Iceland Academy of the
Arts, with the support of The National Theatre. Hindarleikur takes
place in the future where only
women exist.
The Iceland Dance Company
Wonderland
37
by
Jóhann
Freyr
Björgvinsson
and
Filippía
Elísdóttir
Man avoids facing himself - he fears
the image that he will see.
We are all superficial and anguished, stuck in our own overbearing world full of unconscious
tension, violence and emptiness.
Both in hell and in heaven. Complete mess, beauty and nightmare.
Choreographer:
Jóhann Freyr Björgvinsson
Music:
Davíd Thór Jónsson.
Set and costume design:
Filippía Elísdóttir and
Jóhann Freyr Björgvinsson.
Lighting designer:
Benedikt Axelson
Assistant to choreographer:
Ólöf G. Söebech
Dancers:
Brad John Sykes, Emilía Gísladóttir, Gudmundur
Elías Knudsen, Gudrún Óskarsdóttir, Itamar
Sahar, Hjördís Lilja Örnólfsdóttir, Katrín Ingvadóttir, Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Steve Lorenz,
Valgerdur Rúnarsdóttir.
November 2005 Reykjavik City Theatre
(Main stage)
The Iceland Dance Company
38
Critic’s
Choice?
by
Peter
Anderson
...conflicting ideas on what art
stands for....
This is a comic piece on the choreographer, the dancer and the
critic.
Music:
Otis Redding
Costume designer:
Stefanía Adolfsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Benedikt Axelsson
Dancers:
Gudmundur Elías Knudsen, Hjördís Örnólfsdóttir, Itamar Sahar, Katrín Ingvadóttir, Steve
Lorenz,Valgerdur Rúnarsdóttir, Lovísa Ósk
Gunnarsdóttir,
November 2005 Reykjavik City Theatre
(Main stage)
The Iceland Dance Company
Hollí who?
39
by
Halla
Ólafsdóttir
Halla created a piece within Iceland
Dance Company’s choreographic
workshop. The concept in Hollí
who? is the game, and the rules
that apply in different games.
Dancers:
Adalheidur Halldórsdóttir,Valgerdur Rúnarsdóttir
and Itamar Sahar Serussi.
Music:
Ben Frost
Lighting:
Benedikt Axelson
March 2006 - Reykjavik Maaritime Museum
The Iceland Dance Company
Iceland
Dance
Company
25 hours dance-theatre / competition 2004
A co-production of Iceland Dance Company and Reykjavik
City Theatre, with the support of SPRON and NB bank.
9 directors/choreographers from different backgrounds were
chosen to develop their ideas into a 10 minute dance theatre
piece. On June 10th 2004, these pieces competed in front of
audience and a selected jury.
June 2004 - Reykjavik City Theatre/Main stage
Screensaver
by Rami Bee’r
Music: L. Gerrard, T. Rezor, A. Scarlati, P. Bourke, C. Mansell,
Sondheim.
Sound design: Alex Claude
Video: Irit Batsry
Costume designer: Laura Dinulescu
Lighting, stage and video screening designer: Rami Be’er
October 2004 – Reykjavik City Theatre/Main stage
Iceland Dance Company family performance
A repertoire performance of three works:
The Match by Lonneke van Leth
ID premiered The Match October 2003
Practice Paradise by Stijn Celis
ID premiered Practice Paradise in February 2004
Ball by Katrín Hall
ID premiered Ball at Reykjavik Arts festival in May 2004
January 2005 - Reykjavik City Theatre/Main stage
40
Season
2004-2005
Foreign works,
co-productions and
guest
performances
25 hours dance-theatre /
competition 2005
A co-production of Iceland Dance Company and
Reykjavik City Theatre, with the support of SPRON.
9 directors/ choreographers from different backgrounds were chosen to develop their ideas into a 10
minute dance theatre piece. On June 9th 2005, these
pieces competed in front of audience and a selected
jury.
June 2005 - Reykjavik City Theatre/Main stage
The Iceland Dance Company
Iceland
Dance
Company
41
Season
2005-2006
Foreign works,
co-productions and
guest
performances
Iceland Dance Company’s Fall perfomance
Talk to me - February production of Iceland
(along with Wonderland and Critic’s choice):
Dance Company:
Pocket Ocean
by Rui Horta
Music:Yens &Yens, Andy Cowton, Death Ambient and Louis
Andriessen.
Costume designer: Kathy Brunner
Lighting design: Rui Horta and Elfar Bjarnason
Staged by Katrín Hall
Assistance: Cameron Corbett
November 2005 – Reykjavik City Theatre/Main stage
Sweet and Sour
by Didy Veldman
Stage and costume designer:
Elín Edda Árnadóttir
Props: Egill Ingibergsson
Lighting designer: Lárus Björnsson
Happy New Year
Choreographer/stage/lighting designer:
Rui Horta
Costume designer: Elín Edda Árnadóttir
Assistant lighting design: Benedikt Axelsson
February 2006 - Reykjavik City Theatre/
Main stage
Carmen
the musical
Script: Gudrún Vilmundardóttir
Lyrics: Bergur Thór Ingólfsson, Davíd Thór Jónsson, Frank Hall,
Kristján Hreinsson, Sigrídur Hagalín Björnsdóttir, Sjón and
Thorsteinn Valdimarsson.
Music: Agnar Már Magnússon
Hair and makeup: Sigrídur Rósa Bjarnadóttir
Lighting designer: Lárus Björnsson
Set and costume designer: Helga I. Stefánsdóttir
Choreographer: Stephen Shropshire
Director: Gudjón Pedersen
A co-production of Iceland Dance Company and
Reykjavik City Theatre.
January 2006 - Reykjavik City Theatre/Main stage
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company started in an old fish factory in Hafnarfjordur in 1995. A group of young and enthusiastic artists gathered together in
the yearning for making their own creative field of work. They took over an
abounded fish factory and staged a play in
the middle of the space, still smelling of In the fall 2004 the theatre moved to
another space in Hafnarfjordur. The
fish. From the very beginning it was the
fish factory had been a contemporary
aim of the company to work with new Ice- performance space for 9 years until
landic writings only: new plays or adapta- the town of Hafnarfjordur came on
tions of novels. The first production was board with a generous financial supHeaven (Himnaríki) by the Icelandic dra- port. A new black box theatre was
matist Árni Ibsen. He worked closely with built in an old house by the harbor.
the group in finding the collective voice of This new theatre has made enormous
the whole company as well as developing difference, not only for Hafnarfjordur
the play throughout the rehearsal process. Theatre Company, but also for the
This model of collaboration has been the small and grass-roots theatre groups
distinctive feature in the working method that the company has welcomed into
of the company ever since. Heaven be- the theatre.
came very successful and adored as over
Since the establishment of Hafnarfjorhundred showings can witness.
dur Theatre Company, 11 years ago, it
has produced over 25 new Icelandic
plays and toured with several productions to festivals in Europe.
The Artistic director of Hafnarfjordur
Theatre Company is Hilmar Jónsson.
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
Broken
43
by
Thórdís
Elva
Thorvaldsdóttir
Bachmann.
Brotid
Broken is about love gone wrong
in the face of depression. It tells the
story of a young couple who start
a family, convinced that their destinies are intertwined. When the
man falls ill and becomes numb to
the world, the love his wife bears
for him develops a dark and vicious
quality. Broken asks poignant questions about commitment, trust and
whether love simply isn’t enough.
Actors:
Elma Lísa Gunnarsdóttir, Fridrik
Fridriksson, Gudmundur Ingi Thorvaldsson,
Thrúdur Vilhjálmsdóttir
Music:
Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
Animation:
Gideon Gabriel Kiers
Lighting designer:
Egill Ingibergsson
Makeup artist:
Ásta Hafthórsdóttir
Costume designer:
Bergthóra Magnúsdóttir
Set designer:
Thórarinn Blöndal
Director:
Erling Jóhannesson
February 2005
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
44
Reindeer /
Polar Bear
Wanted
by
Sigurbjörg
Thrastardóttir
Hreindýr /
Ísbjörn
óskast
Reindeer and Polar Bear Wanted
are two one-act-plays that share a
set and number of characters, but
differ in plot. Two hunters seem to
await a herd of reindeers on the
moors, in the presence of a mysterious woman in military gear. In the
other act the unexpected meeting of a girl and a polar bear at an
agent’s office brings up questions
of exploitation and self-respect.
The two acts coincide in theme
– the human/bestial boundaries
– and explore the hierarchy of culture, sense, instinct, drive and primal needs.
Actors:
Elma Lísa Gunnarsdóttir,
Erling Jóhannesson, Jón Páll Eyjólfsson.
Music:
Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
Lighting designer:
Gardar Borgthórsson
Director:
Hilmar Jónsson
June 2005
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
Heaven
45
by
Árni
Ibsen
Himnaríki
One of the Iceland best-known dramatists, Árni Ibsen, wrote Heaven for Hafnar-fjordur
Theatre Company exactly 10 years ago. The play is about a group of friends who spends a
weekend in a summerhouse where basically everything goes wrong. Poor Gaui decides to
introduce his new girlfriend to his two old friends; Tryggvi, his friend from childhood and
Steinunn, his ex-girlfriend, who have now become a couple. And their friend Beggi who is
the brother of Steinunn, the ex-girlfriend of Gaui and now Tryggvi’s new..….. Oh skip it!
Anyway. Most of them go home with the wrong partner as customary in a good comedy.
But what distinguishes this comedy the most from others is probably the staging. The stage
is divided into two halves and the audience sits in two separate spaces. One half sits inside
the summerhouse, the other half sits in front of it facing the terrace. After the interval the
audience switch seats and watch
the same play again in the other
space from a different angle.
Actors:
Elma Lísa Gunnarsdóttir, Erling
Jóhannesson, Fridrik Fridriksson, Gudlaug Elísabet
Ólafsdóttir, Jóhann G. Jóhannsson, Thrúdur
Vilhjálmsdóttir.
Makeup artist:
Ásta Hafthórsdottir
Lighting designer:
Gardar Borgthórsson
Costume designer:
Ásta Hafthórsdottir
Set designer:
Finnur Arnar Arnarson
Director:
Hilmar Jónsson
September 2005
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
Hafnarfjordur
Theatre
Company
46
Season
2004-2006
Coproductions
The Saga of Úlfhamur
Mind©amp
Úlfhams saga
by Jón Atli Jónasson, Egill Heidar Anton Pálsson and
the Mind©ampgroup
Music: Hallur Ingólfsson
Choreographer: Halla Ólafsdóttir
Costume designer: Íris Eggertsdóttir
Set: Mind©ampgroup
Director: Egill Heidar Anton Pálsson
Corselet Company/Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
January 2006
See page 51
by Andri Snaer Magnason, Gréta María Bergsdóttir
and María Ellingsen.
Text: Andri Snaer Magnason
Movements: Reijo Kela
Music: Eivør Pálsdóttir
Animation: Gideon Gabriel Kiers
Lighting designer: Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Masks/Makeup artist: Ásta Hafthórsdóttir
Costume designer: Helga I. Stefánsdóttir and
Bergthóra Magnúsdóttir
Set designer: Snorri Freyr Hilmarsson
Dramaturge/assistant director: Gréta María Bergsdóttir
Director: María Ellingsen
Second Stage/Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
October 2004
See page 77
My mother My daughter
Módir mín dóttir mín
by Ingibjörg Reynisdóttir
Music: Ragnheidur Gröndal
Director: Eline McKay.
The Scene Artists
June 2005
See page 76
What if?
Hvad ef?
by Einar Már Gudmundsson/
Valgeir Skagfjörd and the company
Director: Gunnar Sigurdsson
540 Floors Theatre/SÁÁ/
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
October 2005
See page 86
The Interview
Vidtalid
by Laila Margrét Arnthórsdóttir and Margrét Pétursdóttir
Music: Pétur Grétarsson
Lighting designer: Gardar Borgthórsson
Animation: Jóhannes Tryggvason
Set and costume designer: Helga Rún Pálsdóttir
Assistant director: Björn Gunnlaugsson
Director: Margrét Pétursdóttir
March 2006 - The DreamFactory/Hafnarfjordur
Theatre Company
See page 55
The Independent Theatres
SL is the Association of Independent Theatres in Iceland. The Association is
a grassroot organization supported by the member groups and the City of
Reykjavík. Member groups of SL are 54, and most of them are based in Reykjavík, but there are also groups in Hafnarfjörður, Akureyri and Ísafjörður. Some op- In the past decade the Independent
Theatres have been a growing force in
erate on an annual basis while others are
the Icelandic theatre and dance scene.
more project orientated. A strong base of The Association has been fighting to
around 25 various groups is now in place.
let politicians and officials take notice
The Independent Theatres premier between 25 and 35 plays every year. The
groups have been a driving force in promoting new playwriting in Iceland and are
unafraid of treading new ground in their
approach to staging theatre and dance.
For this SL groups, such as Vesturport/Art
box, have received international acclaim
for their original style of theatre. Around
200.000 people attend the performances
of the SL groups every year in Iceland and
abroad. That is a huge part of the overall
theatre attendance in Iceland and shows
without doubt that the cultural life in Iceland has a fundamental need for the work
of the SL groups.
of their hard work and successes. This
has resulted in minor steps towards a
better working ground and the groups
have at the same time become more
professional in their work.
SL is currently working by an official
agenda for the Association, published
in 2004. Amongst exciting projects
is to open a Theatre- and Cultural
Center for the SL groups in Tjarnarbíó
Theatre in the center of Reykjavík as
well as hosting an international theatre
festival of the Independent Theatres.
So keep watching this space – there is
more to come from the Independent
Theatres in Iceland!
Aino Freyja Järvelä
Chairman of SL
The Independent Theatres - Comedy Theatre Company
Gísli
Súrsson
48
by
Elfar Logi Hannesson
and Jón Stefán Kristjánsson
Gísli Súrsson is a monodrama based on one of the most famous Icelandic Sagas. The story
tells the tale of Gísli and his family who come to Iceland after turbulent times in Norway.The
family fares well in Iceland and enjoys peace and prosperity. But only for a while. Through
series of incidents Gísli is found guilty of murder and outlawed. He manages to escape and
stay in hiding for seven years before he meets his archetypal Saga-hero end.
Actor: Elfar Logi Hannesson
Design: Jón St. Kristjánsson
Costumes: Alda Veiga Sigurdardóttir
Director: Jón St. Kristjánsson
February 2005 – Thingeyri
English version june 2005 - Ísafjördur
Dimmalimm
by
Elfar Logi Hannesson and
Sigurthór Albert Heimisson
A monodrama based on one of most popular Icelandic children book by Gudmundur
Thorsteinsson,(alias Muggur).This is a classic fairy tale about a prince who is transformed into
a swan by the bad witch. When princess Dimmalimm arrives the magic starts happening.
Actor: Elfar Logi Hannesson
Costumes: Alda Veiga Sigurdardóttir
Puppets: Alda Veiga Sigurdardóttir, Marsibil G.
Kristjánsdóttir
Design: Kristján Gunnarsson, Marsibil G.
Kristjánsdóttir,
Sigurthór Albert Heimisson.
Director: Sigurthór Albert Heimisson
February 2006 - Ísafjördur
The Comedy Theatre Company /
Kómedíu Leikhúsid
The Independent Theatres - CommonNonsense
49
Avoid
us
by
Hugleikur
Dagsson
Fordist
okkur
The play´s conseptual world is based on Hugleikur´s three comic books, Love us, Kill us and
Fuck us. Hugleikur’s comic books are fun, sarcastic, rude, ugly, beautiful, tasteless, grotesque
and romantic. There is room for everything in that world. The comics are non-pretentious.
One drawing and a bit of illustration. With his simplicity, Hugleikur manages in a humorous and gripping
way to direct our attention to various evils in human
relations: distorted value judgment, distorted morals,
dangerous social indolence and apathy. His stories are
like photos from people’s lives and he leaves us the
task of filling in the picture. Avoid us is a story about
modern man in his most
Actors:
Adalheidur Halldórsdóttir
naked image.
Birgitta Birgisdóttir
Dóra Jóhannsdóttir
Halldóra Malín Pétursdóttir
Jörundur Ragnarsson
Magnea Björk Valdimarsdóttir
Stefán Hallur Stefánsson
Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
Valur Freyr Einarsson
Vídir Gudmundsson
Music and sound:
Davíd Thór Jónsson
Hair/Make up:
Oddvar Örn Hjartarson
Design:
Ilmur Stefánsdóttir
Design assistant:
Kristján Björn Thórdarson
Lighting,Video Design,
Technical Director:
Egill Ingibergsson
Costumes:
Rannveig Kristjánsdóttir, Elsa María Blöndal, Ilmur
Stefánsdóttir
Directors:
Stefán Jónsson / Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir
September 2005 –
Reykjavik City Theatre/Small globe
CommonNonsense /
The Icelandic Academy of the Arts
– Drama department
The Independent Theatres - The Corselet Company
50
Our
Father
by
Hlin
Agnarsdóttir
Fadir
Vor
Our Father depicts the relationship between the sisters Rebekka,
an alcoholic visual artist and Rut,
a frustrated housewife and their
world famous film director father Tomas. When the third sister
Rakel a success writer publishes
her novel, The Lost Father, their
life is turned upside down. A sudden death of their father reveals
a hidden family history filled with
secrets and lies.
Actors:
Arndis Hrönn Egilsdóttir, Elma Lisa Gunnarsdóttir, Hjálmar Hjálmarsson, Thrúdur Vilhjálmsdóttir
Music:
Hallur Ingólfsson
Choreographer:
Jóhann Freyr Björgvinsson
Lighting designer:
Jón Thorgeir Kristjánsson
Set/costume designer:
Rebekka A. Ingimundardóttir
Dramaturge:
Kristín Eysteinsdóttir
Director:
Agnar Jón Egilsson
October 2004 – Idno Theatre
The Corselet Company/Sokkabandid
The Independent Theatres - The Corselet Company
Mind©amp
51
by
Jón Atli Jónasson,
Egill Heidar Anton
Pálsson and the
Mind©ampgroup
Mind©amp is consciously reflecting on contemporary issues.The piece deals with materialism, commercialism and the economic system. Where do humans and market meet? Is 2%
economic growth more important than sympathy? Which is a better option: to hang oneself
or just wait? But waiting for what?
Mind©amp is devised from many
texts from various directions, for
example by philosophers like Nietzsche and Hegel, and is highly
influenced by Beckett’s Waiting
for Godot, which celebrated 50th
anniversary last year.
Actors:
Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir
Elma Lísa Gunnarsdóttir
Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
Þorsteinn Bachmann
Music:
Hallur Ingólfsson
Choreographer:
Halla Ólafsdóttir
Costume designer:
Íris Eggertsdóttir
Set:
Mind©ampgroup
Director:
Egill Heidar Anton Pálsson
A co-production with Hafnarfjordur Theatre
Company
January 2006 – Hafnarfjordur Theatre
The Corselet Company/Sokkabandid
The Independent Theatres - DANCEtheatre
Capturing
the
moment!
Hetkinen
52
What connects the four pieces are temporary conditions and how life
and the spirit of times are controlled by the time.
by
Katrín
Ingvadóttir
Hetkinen
Dancers: Adalheidur Halldórsdóttir, Gudrún Óskarsdóttir, Halla Ólafsdóttir, Íris María Stefánsdóttir, Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir,
Ólöf G. Söebech and Thórdís Schram. Music: Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Koskinen Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Costumes/Director: Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir April 2005 - The Reykjavik City Theatre / The Dance Theatre/Dansleikhúsid
Cooling
coffie
by
Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir and Halla
Ólafsdóttir in collaboration with the
cellist Sigurdur Halldórsson.
Dancers: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Halla Ólafsdóttir Music: Lhasa La Llorona Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson Costume
design: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Halla Ólafsdóttir.
At
the
Gym!
by
Katrín
Ingvadóttir
Í raektinni!
Dancers: Ásdís Ingvadóttir, Ásta Baerings,Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir and Thórdís Schram. Text: Katrín Ingvadóttir Music: Hrannar
Ingimarsson Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson Costumes: Katrín Ingvadóttir Director: Katrín Ingvadóttir
The Independent Theatres - DANCEtheatre
Moment´s
53
by
Irma
Gunnarsdóttir
Núna
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
- John Lennon.
Dancers/Actors:
Gudrún Óskarsdóttir, Íris María Stefánsdóttir, Ívar Örn Sverrisson, Ólöf G. Söebech andThórdís Schram.
Text:
Irma Gunnarsdóttir
Music:
Film music/2046 - WONG KAR WAI´S
Sound engineer:
Hrannar Ingimarsson
Lighting designer:
Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Set/Costume design:
Irma Gunnarsdóttir, Arna Ösp Gubrandsdóttir
Director:
Irma Gunnarsdóttir.
The Independent Theatres - DANCEtheatre
54
Fallen
angels
by
Irma
Gunnarsdóttir
The piece is about human weaknesses and primal instinct. The
starting point was materialism and
the idea of society as a jungle. The
piece draws tragicomic images of
humans in dilemma towards themselves as well as the environment.
Dancers: Íris María Stefánsdóttir,
Ólöf Söebech,Thórdís Schram,
Gudrún Óskarsdóttir.
Music: The end - Halldór Björnsson.
April 2006 The Reykjavik City Theatre
The Dance Theatre/Dansleikhúsid
I’m
FINE
Experiment
by
Irma
Gunnarsdóttir
in
communications
The subtitle of the piece explains a
rather uncommon working method
for artists living in separate countries. I’m FINE is experimentation
in creating a piece with the aid of
technique through the Internet.
Dancers: Halla Ólafsdóttir and
Nadja Hjorton
April 2006 The Reykjavik City Theatre
The Dance Theatre/Dansleikhúsid
The Independent Theatres - The DreamFactory
The
Interview
55
A deaf
performance by
Laila Margrét
Arnthórsdóttir
and Margrét
Pétursdóttir
Vidtalid
The Interview is about a mother and a daughter who are on their way to have an interview.
The daughter is a famous, deaf actress, but the mother can hear. An interpreter translates
the interview. The journalist is late so the mother and the daughter start to have a conversation through the interpreter. Where as the daughter is brought up in the time of the
talking police (1880 – 1980) her
mother does not speak sign language and the daughter’s Icelandic
is not very good. While they wait
for the journalist they talk about
the past and soon hidden things
will come to light.
Actors:
Árný Gudmundsdóttir
Berglind Stefánsdóttir
Elsa Gudbjörg Björnsdóttir
Soffía Jakobsdóttir
Tinna Hrafnsdóttir
Music:
Pétur Grétarsson
Lighting designer:
Gardar Borgthórsson
Animation:
Jóhannes Tryggvason
Set and costume designer:
Helga Rún Pálsdóttir
Assistant director:
Björn Gunnlaugsson
Director:
Margrét Pétursdóttir
March 2006 – Hafnarfjordur Theatre
The DreamFactory/Draumasmidjan and Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
The Independent Theatres - Female Ensemble Garpur
Cactus
milk
56
by
Maríanna Clara
Luthersdóttir,
Sólveig
Gudmundsdóttir
and
Graeme Maley
Kaktus mjólk
The company put on Cactus milk in
Klink and Bank in February 2006.
A piece about the aftermath of
war, devised from the texts of Matei Visnic, Pinter, Beckett and Sarah
Kane.
Actors: Maríanna Clara Luthersdóttir and Sólveig
Gudmundsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Stefán Hallur Stefánsson
Producer: Esther Talia Casey
Graphics: Ólafur Egill Ólafsson
Director/set designer: Graeme Maley
February 2006 - Klink and Bank
Female Ensamble Garpur/
Kvenfélagid Garpur
The Independent Theatres - i entertainment
57
The
Secret
Face
by
Elísabet
Kristín
Jökulsdóttir
A woman in love asks the world press to witness her story but the press is busy in Iraq
and with Brad and Angelina. And while waiting for her moment she captivates you. She reveals lies and enfolds truths. The Secret Face is about the secret world of a woman’s mind.
The piece is an abstract and adventurous dialogue of voices dwelling in a woman’s psyche
and the predicament it generates. It’s about the complexity of the individual’s existence in
a world where manipulation is woven into every fabric of society and how the individuals’
deconstruction is related to society’s malfunction, war
catastrophes and natural disasters. The persona embarks on the “surgery” of her own psyche, which she
calls “the funeral game”, in order to realize, come to
terms, rediscover, heal and reconstruct her life.
Performer:
Pálína Jónsdóttir
Production designer:
Árni Páll Jóhannsson
Sound designer:
Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson
Music composer:
Ugla Hauksdóttir
Video composition:
Elísabet Rónaldsdóttir
Art director:
Unnar Már Sigurbjörnsson
Special effects:
Eggert Ketilsson and
Harrý Jóhannsson
Make-up artist:
Ásta Hafthórsdóttir
Wig artist:
Kristín Thors
Photographer:
Bjarni Grímsson
PR Manager:
Dísa Anderiman
Costume/Image designer:
Filippía Elísdóttir
Director:
Steinunn Knútsdóttir
April 2004 - Idnó Theatre, Reykjavík.
August 2005 - Manhattan at the Here Arts Center
March 2006 - Vienna at Kosmos Theatre
i entertainment/Sjónlist
The Independent Theatres - IsMedia
The
Vodka
Diet
58
by
Kikka
Vodkakúrinn
The Vodka Diet tells the story of a modern woman, obsessed with her weight, who has tried
just about every diet there is. It also tells the story of numerous other characters in her life,
including strange family members,
Mr. Romance and an over-ambitious plastic surgeon.
This hilarious play pokes fun at
today’s diet driven society but offers no solution other than that of
being happy about who, and how,
you are while enjoying life as it is
– which incidentally may be the
only true advice there is.
Choreographer:
Ástrós Gunnarsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Make-up designer:
Kristin Thors
Set/costume designer:
Elin Edda Árnadottir
Director:
Gunnar Ingi Gunnsteinsson
September 2004 Austurbaer Theatre
IsMedia
The Independent Theatres - IsMedia
59
The
Fruit
Basket
A
Ávaxtakarfan
children’s musical
by
Kikka
The Fruit Basket is a musical about Strawberry May, who lives in a basket of fruits.The other
fruits treat Strawberry May arrogantly and make her serve them in all manner of ways. One
day an incredible and entirely unexpected thing happens: Carrie the Carrot (a vegetable!)
appears in the fruit basket. Suddenly May isn’t a social outcast anymore. She becomes one
of the fruits and Carrie the Carrot is made the slave. But Carrie
isn’t afraid of fruits, and she shows
May that a basket full of equality
and love is a better place than one
filled with prejudice and discrimination.
Musical Composer:
Thorvaldur Bjarni Thorvaldsson
Asst. Director &
Choreographer:
Astros Gunnarsdóttir
Costume designer:
Maria Ólafsdóttir
Set designer:
Hrafnhildur Stefánsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Freyr Vilhjálmsson and
Gunnar Ingi Gunnsteinsson
Make-up designer:
Kristin Thors and Frida
Maria Hardardóttir
Director:
Gunnar Ingi Gunnsteinsson
February 2005 Austurbaer Theatre
IsMedia
The Independent Theatres - IsMedia
60
The
Blue
Ocean
Hafid Bláa
A
children’s musical
by
Kikka
The Blue Ocean tells the story of young Rock and his school of redfish who live in the
North-Atlantic. Young Rock witnesses his family getting caught in the net of a fishing boat
and he is separated from his mother. It is now up to him to go and find Shadow, the mysterious savior of the redfish. Together with Luck, who is both a courageous and resourceful
redfish girl, he ventures into the
deep blue ocean. The journey of
the two is filled with danger and
they meet various strange creatures on the way, like the seaweed
that encourages them to continue
their quest, Hrim the lobster and
the constantly nagging Ugly.
Musical composer:
Thorvaldur Bjarni Thorvaldsson
Asst. director:
Thrúdur Vilhjalmsdottir
Choreographer:
Cameron Corbett
Costume designer:
Maria Ólafsdóttir
Set designer:
Arna Valsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Freyr Vilhjálmsson
Make-up designer:
Skjoldur Eyfjord
Director:
Agnar Jón Egilsson
February 2006 Austurbaer Theatre
IsMedia
The Independent Theatres - The Living Theatre
American
Diplomacy
61
A political
comedy
by Thorleifur Örn
Arnarsson
Everyone in the Icelandic Government has been poisoned in a dinner party at the American
Embassy and no one survives, that is, no one except for the Minister of Agriculture. This
creates total chaos: the media goes bananas and publishes many surveys of public opinions
because nobody is able to control the acts of irresponsibility editors… the Americans want
to bring their army back from Iceland and the inflation is out of control. The future of Iceland is in danger and the only one who could possible
stand in the way for a total bankruptcy of the nation
is the Minister of Agriculture, Gudbjörn Halldorsson.
The future of Iceland is on his shoulders and a group
of ruthless officials.
Iceland must be rescued! But who will rescue the Minister of Agriculture from the officials?
Actors:
Hjálmar Hjálmarsson, Björk
Jakobsdóttir, Eline McKay, Ólafur S.K. Thorvaldz, Aevar Thór Benediktsson, Harpa Hlín
Haraldsdóttir, Bjartur Gudmundsson, Jón Stefán
Sigurdsson, Tryggvi Gunnarsson, Thorbjörg Helga
Thorgilsdóttir, Elísabet Ásta Eythórsdóttir and
Erlingur Grétar Einarsson.
Music:
Thorvaldur Bjarni Thorvaldsson
Lighting designer:
Geir Magnússon
Set and costume designer:
Drífa Ármannsdóttir
Director:
Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson
February 2005 – Reykjavik City
Theatre / Small Globe
The Living Theatre/Hid lifandi Leikhús in
collaboration with Reykjavik City Theatre
The Independent Theatres - Mossini Opera Company
Gestur The last
supper
62
by
Gautur G.
Gunnlaugsson
and Gunnar
Kristmannsson
Gestur sídasta
kvöldmáltídin
Gestur - The last supper is a music comedy in a classical style. A
gay married couple is living peacefully in a Reykjavík suburb when an
uninvited visitor walks into their
lives. The visitor makes some romantic steps towards both of them
and those steps lead up to a violent jealous fury. The music is all
new, written by Gunnlaugsson and
Kristmannsson but spans classical
music styles from almost all periods.
Actors – singers:
Gautur G. Gunnlaugsson
Gunnar Kristmannsson
Hrólfur Saemundsson
Pianist:
Raúl Jiménez
Costume designer:
Ásgerdur Júlíusdóttir
Lighting designer:
Fridthjófur Thorsteinsson
Director:
Thröstur Gudbjartsson
October 2005 – Idno Theatre
Mossini Opera Company/
Óperufélagid Mossini
The Independent Theatres - Mrs. Emilía
63
100 years
old
house
by
Jón
Atli
Jónasson
100
ára
hús
The play is about three people who have been placed in a room in an elderly home. All of
them are dealing with senility on different levels. The play describes a day or a night in the
life of those people and their communication where they struggle to hold on to their dignity
and memories in a world that gradually is becoming a strange place to them. They seek for
companionship and physical presence amongst themselves in their struggle to keep alive. At
the same time they long for another live, another world.
The form of the performance is a
kind of a wake where people tells
stories, dances, shares memories,
listens to music, drinks whisky,
eats assorted chocolates and tries
to read a Norwegian book on
death.
Actors:
Björn Thors
Harpa Arnardóttir,
Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
Laufey Elíasdóttir
Ólafur Egill Egilsson
Music:
Ghostdigital (Curver Thoroddsen and Einar Örn
Benediktsson)
Lighting designer:
Jóhann Bjarni Pálmason
Costume designer:
Íris Eggertsdóttir
Director:
Haflidi Arngrímsson
Apríl 2006 – Nauthólsvík Beach, Reykjavík
Mrs. Emilía/Frú Emilía
The Independent Theatres - The New Theatre
64
Líneik
and
Laufey
by
Ragnheidur
Gestsdóttir
Líneik
og
Laufey
Líneik and Laufey is one of the classical Icelandic fairytales. Travelling to distant lands is a
common theme in the old Icelandic tales, and this one is no exception. Sea voyages, mysterious islands and flight from a man-eating ogre all take place within this exciting story, but at
the heart of it are issues and values such as the relationship between parents and children,
keeping promises, empathy, mercy and foregiveness.
The old Icelandic fairytales are no
longer an integral part of our modern life, but their message is just
as current as it was in the olden
days. In this production text, music
and dance are intergrated to bring
alive the magic of the story.
Actors:
Aino Freyja Järvelä, Höskuldur Saemundsson,
Ingibjörg Reynisdóttir, Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir,
Ólafur Gudmundsson.
Costumes and set:
Elma Bjarney Gudmundsdóttir,
Katrín Thorvaldsdóttir,
Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir.
Director:
Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir
October 2004 – Tjarnarbíó Theatre
The New Theatre/Nýja leikhúsid
The Independent Theatres - Panic Productions
no,
he was
white
65
by
Anne Tismer,
Margrét Sara
Gudjonsdottir,
Rahel Savoldelli
and Sveinbjorg
Thorhallsdottir
no, he was white is a dance-theatre piece devised from the idea of
blues. The starting point was blues
in its many different forms such as
in music, atmosphere, work and
personal everyday life. The piece is
a collage of situations, expressions,
inner talks and outbursts.
Performers:
Anne Tismer, Margrét Sara Gudjonsdottir, Rahel
Savoldelli and
Sveinbjorg Thorhallsdottir.
Music:
David Kiers
Costume designer:
Nir De Volff
Producer:
Gréta María Bergsdóttir
A part of the Reykjavik
Dance Festival in
September 2005 –
Reykjavik City Theatre/New stage
February 2006 – Ballhaus Ost, Berlin
Panic Productions
The Independent Theatres - Pars Pro Toto
Hope
66
by
Lára
Stefánsdóttir
Von
In the piece the dancer/choreographer Lára Stefánsdóttir works with dancers ranging from
20 to 60 years old and an original sound track by Gudni Franzson. She investigates our
hopes and dreams as they span different generations. Instinctive images are created through
body, music and visual imagery, inspired by the writings of her fellow Icelander, Árni Ibsen
dramatist.
Performers: Hannes Egilsson
Saga Sigurdardóttir, Sverrir
Gudjónsson, Ingibjörg Björnsdóttir
Vicente Sancho, Lára Stefánsdóttir, Rebecca
Convey
Film-maker: Kristín Eva
Thórhallsdóttir
Lights: Jóhann B. Pálmason
Costumes: Elín Edda Árnadóttir and Lára
Stefánsdóttir
Music: Gudni Franzson
Choreography/director:
Lára Stefánsdóttir
November 2005 - Icelandic Opera
February 2006 - Arts Depot in London.
Sacred
Dance
by
Lára
Stefánsdóttir
Tanz um das goldene Kalb / Tanz der Salome
In the summer of 2005 Pars Pro Toto created an evening of dance at Kloster Lehniner Sommermusiken and Kloster Zinna in Brandenburg Germany. The program was based on texts
and stories from the Bible, interpreted through dance and music.
Choreography/dancer:
Lára Stefánsdóttir
Music: Gudni Franzson,
Andreas Behrendt and others.
Summer 2005 – Kloster Lehniner sommermusiken/Kloster Zinna in Brandenburg Germany
Pars Pro Toto
The Independent Theatres - Pars Pro Toto
Aurora
Borealis/
Three
Opuses
67
by
Lára
Stefánsdóttir
These two dance pieces were premiered at the Icelandic Opera and the following weeks,
taken on tour to Japan. They were performed in 15 cities, in a program by Borealis Ensemble, organized by Min-On Concert Association.
Aurora Borealis is an 8 minute long dance piece for
three dancers, soprano and audio play-back inspired
by the aurora of the Northern Lights, projected in a
film during the performance.
Dancers: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Ívar Örn
Sverrisson, Lára Stefánsdóttir.
Soprano: Marta G. Halldórsdóttir
Music: Gudni Franzson
Choreography: Lára Stefánsdóttir
Three Opuses is a 12 min long dance-piece made to piano music by Jón Leifs (1899-1968). It
is crated for three dancers; male, female and a child, the piece gives insight in their relationship. In recent years Jón Leifs has become recognized as the most important and original
composer of Icelandic music in the twentieth cenDancers: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir,
tury.A controversial figure in his own lifetime, writing
Ívar Örn Sverrisson,
Arngrímur Ívarsson
large pieces for enormous orchestra, pieces which
Piano: Örn Magnússon
many still have not been premiered, due to their size. Music: Jón Leifs
Choreography: Lára Stefánsdóttir
His piano music is in certain way late romantic but
November 2005 – Icelandic Opera
Pars Pro Toto
highly personal, as are all his compositions.
The Independent Theatres - The Pocket Theatre
Egil-Saga
in a new
mirror
68
by
Thorhallur
Sigurdsson and
Hallveig
Thorlacius
based on the
Saga of Egill
Egla í nýjum
spegli
This is a puppet-clown performance based on the Saga of the
arch-Viking Egill Skallagrímsson
who was a mixture of a poet, a
loving husband and father and the
cruelest fighter. With the help of
puppets and the red nose, the actress tells this bloody Viking story
without hesitation to children of
all ages (6-106 years). She tells it
from the pure mind of the clown
who does not judge anything.
The performance can be played
in English, Swedish, Norwegian as
well as Icelandic.
Actress:
Hallveig Thorlacius
Scenography and puppets:
Helga Arnalds
Director:
Thorhallur Sigurdsson
January 2005 - National Theatre
Has been played in schools all over Iceland and in
Jönköping, Uppsala and Göteborg, Sweeden.
The Pocket Theatre/Sögusvuntan
The Independent Theatres - The Possible Theatre
69
The Yule
lads
Carpenter
by
Pétur
Eggerz
Smidur
Jólasveinanna
High up in the mountains old Völundur is sitting in his little cabin. Völundur is the carpenter
who makes all the Christmas presents that the Yule lads give to the children. When the last
one of the 13 Yule lads has left to the village it gets lonely up there in the cabin. But all of a
sudden unexpected visitors arrive; the troll children Thusa and Thrasi who have never heard
of Christmas, as well as the Christmas cat. Völundur greets them,
and as they know so little about
Christmas he tells them the story
about the birth of Jesus. They like
the story so much that they decide to perform it together.
Actors:
Bjarni Ingvarsson, Pétur
Eggerz, Alda Arnardóttir and
Aino Freyja Järvelä
Music:
Ingvi Thór Kormáksson
Arrangement:
Vilhjálmur Gudjónsson
Costumes:
Helga Rún Pálsdóttir
Set design:
Bjarni Ingvarsson, Pétur
Eggerz.
Director:
Pétur Eggerz
November 2004 – The
Possible
Theatre/Möguleikhúsid
The Independent Theatres - The Possible Theatre
The
Land
Vifra
70
A play
Landid
Vifra
for children
based on
poems by
Thórarinn Eldjárn
We welcome you to The Land Vifra, where characters from popular poems by Thórarinn
Eldjárn are set free, they play with words and let the poems speak for themselves. Here
we meet Gudmundur from Mýrar who eats books, the researcher who wants to take everything apart, the guy who sucks
Actors:
up words with a special word
Aino Freyja Järvelä,
Alda Arnardóttir and
sucker in his ear and many others
Pétur Eggerz
characters. Composer Atli Heimir
Dramatization:
The company
Sveinsson has written songs to
Additional text in verse:
some of the poems.
Pétur Eggerz
Music:
Atli Heimir Sveinsson
Arrangements:
Gudni Franzson
Set design:
Bjarni Ingvarsson and
Katrín Thorvaldsdóttir
Props and costume:
Katrín Thorvaldsdóttir
Director:
Ágústa Skúladóttir
January 2005 – The Possible
The Independent Theatres - Professional Amateurs
71
Immortal
Piece on
the Art of
Manipulation
by
Steinunn
Knútsdóttir
in collaboration
with the
ensemble
Ódaudlegt
verk um
stjórn og
stjórnleysi
The piece is an investigation into
human nature. It is a template on
the art of manipulation. It questions
power structures and it questions
the driving force of human society.
It asks big questions and promises
divine intervention if the need is
genuine and the cry for help is sincere enough. It is both archaic and
contemporary in its content and
approach.
Actors:
Árni Pétur Gudjónsson
Lára Sveinsdóttir
Orri Huginn Ágústsson
Ólafur Steinn Ingunnarson
Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir
Lights/costumes/design:
Ensemble
Director:
Steinunn Knútsdóttir
May 2005 - Klink & Bank
The Professional Amateurs/
Áhugaleikhús Atvinnumanna
The Independent Theatres - Himnaríki
72
The
Chosen
one
by
Gunnar
Helgason
Lighing designer:
Halldór Örn
Óskarsson
Music:
Jón Ólafsson
Costumes and masks:
Ilmur Stefánsdóttir
Set designer:
Thórarinn Blöndal
Director:
Gunnar Helgason
Special FX: Undraland and
Sigurdur Kaiser
Produced by: Himnariki.
Hinn
Útvaldi
A young boy is at his strangeelectronics-filled fatheads house
alone after school when a strange
plumber arrives. The young boy is
so preoccupied playing Play station
III that he doesn’t realize until too
late that the plumber has stolen
everything in the house except
for the Play station. Moment later
aliens crash their spaceship in the
backyard unleashing the most unbelievable chain of events. In short
the “plumber” is the space-criminal
Sulla seeking world dominance and
the only person able to stop him is
our young boy. And he manages to
do so with the help of his mother,
sister and surprisingly Grettir, the
Strong Viking trapped in a wrong
time - zone.
Actors:
Valur Freyr Einarsson
Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
Thórunn Lárusdóttir
Maríanna Clara Lúthersdóttir
Gudmundur Ingi
Thorvaldsson
The Independent Theatres - The Puppet Car Outdoor Theatre
73
The Puppet-car is an outdoor theatre and the performances are every day in June and
July in kindergartens, public gardens and squares in Reykjavík. In August the Puppet
Car drives around and performs in villages around Iceland.
The
bluefox
babysits
by
Helga
Steffensen
Puppeteers: Helga Steffensen,Vigdís Másdóttir / Voices: Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir, Pálmi Gestsson, Thórhallur Sigurdsson,
Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir / Music and sound: Vilhjálmur Gudjónsson
June 2004
Bibbidi
Babbidi
Bú
by
Helga
Steffensen
Puppeteers: Helga Steffensen, Sigrún Erla Sigurdardóttir, Frímann Sigurdsson / Voices: Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir, Júlíus
Brjánsson, Pálmi Gestsson / Music and sound: Magnús Kjartansson
July 2004
The Independent Theatres - The Puppet Car Outdoor Theatre
74
The 25th anniversary
of the
puppet car
by
Helga
Steffensen
Bimm
Bamm
Puppeteers: Helga Steffensen,Vigdís Másdóttir
Voices: Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir, Pálmi Gestsson, Thórhallur Sigurdsson, Adalsteinn Bergdal,
Sigrídur Hannesdóttir, Bríet Hédinsdóttir, Felix
Bergsson, Júlíus Brjánsson.
Music and sound:
Vilhjálmur Gudjónsson
June 2005
by
Helga
Steffensen
Puppeteers:
Helga Steffensen,Vigdís Másdóttir
Voices:
Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir, Steinn Ármann
Magnússon, Adalsteinn Bergdal, Sigrídur
Hannesdóttir.
Music and sound:
Magnús Kjartansson
July 2005
The Puppet Car/Brúdubíllinn
The Independent Theatres - Puppetland
75
Snorri
the
seal
by
Helga
Steffensen
Selurinn
Snorri
based on the story by
Frithjof Saelen
Actors:
Helga Steffensen, Erna
Gudmarsdóttir, Áldís
Davídsdóttir, Sigrún Edda
Björnsdóttir,
Pálmi Gestsson,
Thorvaldur B. Jónsson
Director:
Örn Árnason.
Performed in Gerduberg
Culture Centre,
kindergartens and churches.
Puppetland/Leikbrúduland
Númi
on his
travel
by
Helga
Steffensen
based on a children
book by SJÓN (Númi
with the seven heads)
Puppeteers:
Helga Steffensen,
Aldís Davídsdóttir
Voices:
Sigrún Edda
Björnsdóttir,Thórhallur
Sigurdsson, Steinn Ármann
Magnússon.
Performed in Kindergartens
and Primary schools.
Helga Steffensens´
Puppettheatre/Brúduleikhús
Helgu Steffensen
Númi á
ferd og
flugi
The Independent Theatres - The Scene Artists
76
My mother
My daughter
by
Ingibjörg
Reynisdóttir
Módir mín
dóttir mín
The play is about Klara and her
14 years old daughter, Nina. They
have gone through difficulties in life
where the mother is a drug addict
and an alcoholic. Their role exchanges when Klara fails her duty
as a mother and Nina is forced to
take on more responsibility than is
normal for a child. They are very
connected in spite of everything
and together they are constantly
fighting the child welfare board.
The mother and the daughter live
in a world of lies and misery that
exhausts them at the end.
Actors:
Ingibjörg Reynisdóttir,
Ísgerdur Elfa Gunnarsdóttir
Music:
Ragnheidur Gröndal
Director:
Eline McKay
A co-production with
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
June 2005 – Hafnarfjordur Theatre
The Scene Artists/Senukúnstnerinn
The Independent Theatres - Second Stage
The Saga
of
Úlfhamur
77
by
Úlfhams
saga
Andri Snaer
Magnason, Gréta
María Bergsdóttir,
María Ellingsen
and the Ensemble
Úlfhams saga is a theatrical adventure about love in its most beautiful form, about magic
and the battle of good and evil. It is a powerful ancient Icelandic story told in a visual way
through dance, music and drama. Úlfhams saga was created in a very collaborative process
by Nordic artist and is performed by ten actors/dancers and a singer performing live on
stage her own original score for the piece.
The play is about King Hálfdán who is under a spell and changes into a wolf in winter, unable
to rule his kingdom. Queen Hildur is fed up, murders
Actors:
her husband and offers her son Úlfhamur to become Álfrún Helga Örnólfsdóttir
the heir of the kingdom on the condition that he mar- Ásta Sighvats Ólafsdóttir
Eivør Pálsdóttir
ries her. Blood is spilled, innocent die and a kingdom is Esther Talia Casey
Gudjón Thorsteinn Pálmarsson
at risk. Will love conquer at the end?
Jón Ingi Hákonarson
Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
Kristján Franklín Magnús
Lára Sveinsdóttir
Ragnheidur Steindórsdóttir
Sigurdur Eyberg
Text:
Andri Snaer Magnason
Movements:
Reijo Kela
Music:
Eivør Pálsdóttir
Animation:
Gideon Gabriel Kiers
Lighting designer:
Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Masks/Makeup artist:
Ásta Hafthórsdóttir
Costume design:
Helga I. Stefánsdóttir and
Bergthóra Magnúsdóttir
Set designer:
Snorri Freyr Hilmarsson
Dramaturge/assistant director:
Gréta María Bergsdóttir
Director:
María Ellingsen
A co-production with the
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
October 2004 –
Hafnarfjordur Theatre
Second Stage /Annad Svid
The Independent Theatres - Skemmtihusid Theatre (Kerub)
78
The Saga
of
Gudridur
by
Brynja
Benediktsdóttir
Ferdir
Gudridar
The Saga of Gudridur is inspired by the Icelandic sagas – the Saga of Erik the Red and The
Greenlanders´ Saga in particular. The saga of Gudridur Thorbjarnardottir has been reconstructed by Brynja Benediktsdóttir and tells of the first settlement in North America by
Icelanders, five centuries before Columbus, around the year 1005. This was a pivotal time
when Iceland and Greenland became Christian from heathen religion. The sagas were once
kept alive through oral tradition, so by retelling them (but adding modern methods and
perspective) the author pays homage to this tradition and the elders who kept them alive.
The Saga of Gudridur was premiered in Skemmtihusid Theatre in Reykjavik 1998.The show
has been performed by 8 different actresses, in 5 different languages in Iceland and has
toured 13 European countries
and in Canada as well as the USA.
The first performance in Asia will
be in Manila, Philippines in May
2006, performed in English by Valdis Arnardóttir and in French by
Solveig Simha.
Actors:
Caroline Dalton/Valdís Arnardóttir/Solveig Simha.
Music/sound designer:
Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
Lighting designer:
Jóhann Bjarni Pálmason/
Gudmundur Gudmundsson
Costume designer:
Filippía Elísdóttir
Set/mask designer:
Rebekka Rán Samper
Director:
Brynja Benediktsdóttir
Producer:
Erlingur Gíslason
Skemmtihusid Theatre/Skemmtihúsid
The Independent Theatres - Stop Theatre Group
79
The Saga of
Hrafnkell
Freysgodi
Hrafnkelssaga
Freysgoda
This Saga is one of the most famous Icelandic Sagas. It tells the story of Hrafnkell Freysgodi
and how he kills Einar Thorbjarnarson the sheepherder because he has ridden his horse
Freyfaxi without permission. This is a traveling performance for age 12-20 years old. The
show is meant to have a literary input for primary and secondary school.
Actors:
Eggert Kaaber and
Sigurthór Albert Heimisson
Set/costume design and drawings:
Vignir Jóhannsson
Sound:
Hjörtur Howser
Sword master:
Níels Gudjónsson
Adaptation/Director:
Valgeir Skagfjörd
September 2004
Stop Theatre Group/Stoppleikhúsid
Emma
and
Ófeigur
by
Árni Ibsen
in collaboration with
Vala Thórsdóttir and the ensemble
Emma
og
Ófeigur
The play is about two teenagers in a dilemma, Emma and Ófeigur. This is a modern story
inspired from Hamlet by William Shakespeare as well as other classics, fairytales and movies.
The performance is a mixture of acting, music, dance and clown technique.This is a traveling
performance for primary and secondary school.
Actors:
Eggert Kaaber, Katrín Thorkelsdóttir, Sigurthór
Albert Heimisson.
Set/costume/graphic designer:
Gudrún Öyahals
Music for ghost scene:
Björn Thorarensen
Sound:
Ensemble
Composition of picture and sound: Sigurthór
Albert Heimisson
Ass. director:
Vala Thórsdóttir
Director:
Ágústa Skúladóttir
March 2006 – Idno Theatre
Stop Theatre Group/Stoppleikhúsid
The Independent Theatres - The String Theatre
Under the
Dragon´s
Wing
80
An opera for
children by
Mist
Thorkelsdóttir
and
Messíana
Tómasdóttir
Undir
Drekavaeng
The opera tells of a big, strong tiger, whose love of music leads him into dangerous adventures, which give him insight into the life of small creatures. So he decides that he will
become the guardian of those who are weaker than he. The piano plays an important role
in the story as the flightless dragon’s wing, and the instrument is played in every conceivable
way. A violin also plays a part. Many characters appear, and puppets are used extensively, as
well as masks, worn by both performers and audience who make their own.
Premiere in Gerduberg in collaboration with Dark Music
Days and Gerduberg Culture Centre. Also performed in
Salurinn, Kopavogur Concert Hall, in Vestmannaeyjar and
Ólafsfjordur as well as touring to Finland and Sweden.
January 2005 - Gerduberg Culture Centre
The String Theatre/Strengjaleikhúsid
Singers:
Marta G. Halldórsdóttir
soprano,
Bergthór Pálsson baritone.
Piano:
Örn Magnússon
Composer:
Mist Thorkelsdóttir
Recitative:
Messíana Tómasdóttir
Set/costume designer:
Messíana Tómasdóttir
Lighting designer:
Kári Gíslason
Director:
Messíana Tómasdóttir
The Independent Theatres - Theatre of the Republic
81
How Do
You Like
Iceland?
by
Benóný
Aegisson
Actors:
Darren Foreman and
Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir
Music:
Jón Ásgeirsson and traditional
Director:
Darren Foreman
Premiered July 2005 at
Kaffi Sólon
Theatre of the Republic /
Lýdveldisleikhúsid
The play, that’s written in English,
takes the audience on an informative and, most of all, hilarious tour
through Icelandic history, both
distant and recent. The two actors jump in and out of many roles,
exploring the early settlement of
the country, as well as the current
styles and habit which make Iceland and its people so unique. From
Egill Skallagrimsson, Lucky Leif, and
the Lying-Bastard Blefken through
Björk and John Travolta and the
friends and “frenemies” of Iceland...
they’re all here! This play is a road
show and can be performed in any
setting.
The Independent Theatres - Theatre of the Republic
82
The Mall
Monologues
by
Benóný
Aegisson
Glaesibaejareintölin
Twelve short monologues that are the babble of incomplete characters.They are the ghosts
from the author’s work who has cut them out of plays, deleted them, decided not to use
them or put them in plays that were never staged. Performed by the author at
They are orphans that demand an existence and a Art Festival Gullkistan and on
Culture Night in Reykjavík the
voice but no one will give it to them except the au- summer of 2005
thor driven by bad conscience and the inability to say Theatre of the Republic /
Lýdveldisleikhúsid
no. But the characters are certain that the author will
ruin their only chance of a virtual reality.
Ghost
Nets
by
Benóný
Aegisson
Drauganet
The play is set in the mind of a playwright that is trying to create characters for a play.
He is experimenting with them and they are not very thrilled with their existence. They
want most of all to be planted firmly in a play but are
Actors:
so unfortunate that they have landed with an incom- Adalbjörg Thóra Árnadóttir, Benóný Aegisson,
petent playwright. He has problems getting his plays Brynja Valdís Gísladóttir, Gunnar Eyjólfsson,
Höskuldur Saemundsson, Ingibjörg Stefánsdóttir,
finished but he has no idea that his characters have a Ingibjörg Thórisdóttir, Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir,
Gudmundsson, Páll Sigthór Pálsson,Valgeir
life of their own and therefore does not know how Ólafur
Skagfjörd, Thórunn Clausen and
badly he is treating them. The playwright’s incompe- Thröstur Gudbjartsson.
Choreography:
tence condemns his characters to a life in a limbo Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir
Music:
they can’t get out of.
Benóný Aegisson
Director:
Darren Foreman
November 2005 - Tjarnarbíó Theatre
Theatre of the Republic / Lýdveldisleikhúsid
The Independent Theatres - Thirteen Moons Productions
Hunger
83
by
Thórdís Elva
Thorvaldsdóttir
Bachmann
Hungur
Hunger is about trying to fit in today’s image obsessed world at any cost. Two anorexics
become friends and start playing a dangerous game, while a middle-aged, morbidly obese
woman finally meets a man who seems to worship every inch of her body. Hunger is about
wanting to feel beautiful in a world
that belongs to Kate Moss, where
you’re judged only by your outer
appearances.
Actors:
Ásta Sighvats Ólafsdóttir
Elma Lísa Gunnarsdóttir
Helga Braga Jónsdóttir
Thorsteinn Bachmann
Ass. director & props:
Thórdís Elva
Thorvaldsdóttir Bachmann
Music:
Axel Árnason
Animation/homepage designer:
Ósk Gunnlaugsdóttir
Hair:
Kristín Thors
Choreography:
Jóhann Freyr Björgvinsson
Lighting designer:
Kári Gíslason
Costume designer:
Ragna Fródadóttir
Set designer:
Thórarinn Blöndal
Director:
Gudmundur Ingi Thorvaldsson
A co-production with the
Reykjavik City Theatre
February 2006 –
Reykjavik City Theatre/Small Globe
Thirteen Moons Productions/
Fimbulvetur
The Independent Theatres - Tobias Theatre Company
84
The
Seamstresses 30 years later
by
Agnar
Jón
Egilsson
Saumastofan –
30 árum sídar
The play is devised with the company, based on Kjartan Ragnarsson’s play The Seamstresses,
which premiered in 1975. We witness a week in the lives of the employees of a sewing
shop and each day one of the characters opens up
to its co-workers about something in their lives or
from their past which is meaningful to them. Each of
their personal tragedies was expressed through song.
The characters were meant to represent women in
modern society and represent their status to some Actors:
Alexía Björg Jóhannesdóttir, Elma Lísa Gunnarsdegree.
dóttir, Gudjón Thorsteinn
Pálmarsson, Ísgerdur Elfa Gunnarsdóttir, María Pálsdóttir, Bjartmar
Thórdarson and Bryndís Ásmundsdóttir.
Production manager:
Gunnhildur Helga Gunnarsdóttir
Choreography:
Elma Lísa Gunnarsdóttir and the cast
Lighting designer:
Jón Thorgeir Kristjánsson
Costume designer:
Harpa Einarsdóttir
Assistant costume designer:
Lára Gudnadóttir
Set designer:
Marta Macuga
Hair designer:
Óli Boggi
Music:
Franz Gunnarsson
Director’s assistant:
Anna Gunndís Gudmundsdóttir
Director:
Agnar Jón Egilsson
A co-production with the
Reykjavik City Theatre
January 2005 - Reykjavik City Theatre
Tobias Theatre Company/Tóbías sf.
The Independent Theatres - 540 Floors Theatre
85
The complete
story of Iceland
in 45 min.
by
the
company
This is a traveling performance that tells fascinating
stories of Vikings, ghosts and outlaws. The secrets on
how to survive in this terrifying country, spun together
with beautiful traditional Icelandic music.
The Nail
Actors/singers:
Skúli Gautason, Brynhildur
Björnsdóttir, Esther
Jökulsdóttir and Gunnar Sigurdsson
Director: Gunnar Sigurdsson
by
Jón
Gnarr
Naglinn
The Nail is a tragicomedy about
manhood. It is the story of a man
who is at a turning point in his life.
He feels that all his efforts have
been for nothing despite his hard
work and dedication to his many
and sometimes very broken families. Finally his body gives in and he
finds himself on the toilet cleaning
him out for a colono scopy. In between drinking six liters of laxatives one glass every ten minutes
and rushing to the bathroom he
takes the pulse on his life.
Actors:
Gunnar Sigurdsson,
Jón St. Kristjánsson
Director:
Valgeir Skagfjörd
Collaboration with the
Reykjavik City Theatre
January 2006 Reykjavik City Theatre/Small Globe
The Independent Theatres - 540 Floors Theatre
What if?
86
by
Einar Már
Gudmundsson/
Valgeir Skagfjörd
Hvad ef?
and the company
The play is in collaboration with
big drug prevention programs,
companies and other theatres. In
the play/cabaret/show we employ
all the tricks of the theatre: acting,
music, song and poetry to educate
youngsters on the problems and
complications concerning drug
abuse. Cold facts regarding drug
abuse are presented in a different
and interesting way with the goal
of showing adolescents that they
have a choice and that many seemingly innocent decisions can have
serious consequences. Saying yes
to your first E can be the beginning
of the end of your life story.
Actors:
Felix Bergsson, Orri Huginn
Ágústsson, Gudmundur Ingi
Thorvaldsson, Brynja Valdís Gísladóttir.
Director:
Gunnar Sigurdsson
A co-production with the
Hafnarfjordur Theatre
Company and SÁÁ
October 2005 –
Hafnarfjordur Theatre
540 Floors Theatre/540 gólf
The Independent Theatres - Arnól.net entertainment
87
Le Sing
Le Sing is a show where actors, artists and dancers are both entertainers and waiters. A
fantastic concept that takes you through a journey with good food combined with themes
from many of the best musicals, cabarets and music from world famous artists. The stars of
the evening are young actors, singers and dancers in the Iceland entertainment industry. The
music part is spectacular were they perform over 60 songs from 50s- and up until today.The
music is a mix of solo - duets and mixed medleys that guaranteed gets everyone out of their
comfort zone. The show also has many great themes from famous musicals.
Performers:
Bjarni “magician” Baldvinsson, Brynja Valdís
Gísladóttir, Pálmi Sigurhjartarson, Soffía
Karlsdóttir, Sigurjón Brink and Thórunn Clausen.
Director:
Ingrid Jónsdóttir.
September 2004 –
Broadway/Small stage
Almost totally clear
Almost totally clear is based on one of the most popular Icelandic film Med allt a hreinu and
the music of the legend music group Studmenn. A company’s employees union prepares the
annual celebration. Everyone has his own suggestions and ideas but the company’s president
makes all the decisions where love and different ideas of the energetic employees clash all
the time.
Actors:
Hjálmar Hjálmarsson, Margrét Eir, Jón Jósep
Snaebjörnsson, Linda Ásgeirsdóttir,Valur Freyr
Einarsson and Andrea Gylfadóttir.
Choreography:
Birna Björnsdóttir and
Gudfinna Björnsdottir.
Musical arranger:
Valgeir Gudjónsson
Director:
Stefán Sturla Sigurjónsson
October 2004 Broadway / Main stage
The Independent Theatres - Arnól.net entertainment
88
Silly
servant
A show, where artists entertain the audience while they are serving the food. Mysterious
things take place during the show. What is going on? Who came up with this idea? What a
crap! Be careful not to die of laughter.
Actors:
Freyr Eyjólfsson,Vilhjálmur Godi
Fridriksson, Brynhildur Björnsdóttir, Inga
Stefánsdóttir and Thorkell Heidarsson.
Director: Hallur Helgason
January 2005 - Broadway/Small Stage
Nína and Geiri
By Gísli Rúnar Jónsson, Gunnar Helgason,
Björn G Björnsson
The couple Nína and Geiri reflect on their marriage in
which their number one idol Björgvin Halldorsson, an
Icelandic singer and an pop icon, has been the central
figure. Nína loves him and adores and Geiri is his road
manager.This is a love story interwoven with the story
of one of the most famous Icelandic pop star.
Actors/Singers:
Bryndís Ásmundsdóttir, Steinn Ármann Magnússon, Fridrik Ómar Hjörleifsson, Regína Ósk
Óskarsdóttir, Adalheidur Ólafsdóttir.
Musicians:
Thórir Baldursson, Thórir Úlfarsson,Vilhjálmur
Gudjónsson, Matthías Stefánsson, Róbert
Thórhallsson, Benedikt Brynleifsson.
Dancers:
Sigrún, Ásta, Jónatan, Leifur.
Music:
Björgvin Halldórsson
Musical arrangements:
Thórir Baldursson Sound designer:
Gunnar Smári Helgason
Choreography:
Ásta Baerings and
Gudfinna Björnsdóttir.
Hair/Makeup:
Rósa Matthíasdóttir/GASA
Costumes:
Selma Ragnarsdóttir
November 2005
-Broadway/Main Stage
The Independent Theatres
89
The Independent
Theatres
Season
2004-2006
Arts and Education
My Brilliant Divorce
Scraps (the musical)
Alveg brilljant skilnadur
by Geraldine Aron
Translation/Adaptation: Gísli Rúnar Jónsson
Actor: Edda Björgvinsdóttir
Set/costume designer: Rebekka A. Ingimundardóttir
Director: Thórhildur Thorleifsdóttir
Arts and Education/Leikhópurinn list og fraedsla
March 2005 – Reykjavík City Theatre
May/June 2006 – Production travelling around Iceland
The Castle In The Sky Theatre
Harlem Sophisticate
by Seth Sharp
Musical director: Sigurdur Flosason
Lighting designer: Sigurdur Kaiser
Set designer: Seth Sharp
Costumes: The group
Director: Seth Sharp
Producers: Hallur Helgason, Sigurdur Kaiser
and Björn Helgason
Castle In The Sky Theatre/Loftkastalinn
August 2004
The Icelandic Opera
Sweeney Todd
by Stephen Sondheim
Translation: Gísli Rúnar Jónsson
Adaptation: Christopher Bond
Conductor: Kurt Kopecky
Set designer: Snorri Freyr Hilmarsson
Assistant set designer: Stígur Steinthórsson
Costume designer: Filippía Elísdóttir
Lighting designer: Thórdur Orri Pétursson
Director: Magnús Geir Thórdarson
October 2004 – The Icelandic Opera
Foreign Plays
Litla stúlkan med eldspýturnar
by Keth Strachan, Leslie Stewart and Jeremy Paul
based on a story by H.C Andersen
Translation: Gísli Rúnar Jónsson
Artistic producer: Haflidi Arngrímsson
Singing director: Margrét Pálmadóttir
Musical director: Stefán Stefánsson
Costume designer: Elín Edda Árnadóttir
Lighting designer: Jóhann Bjarni Pálmason
Director: Ástrós Gunnarsdóttir
The production was a part of the international programme of events organized by the Hans Christian
Andersen Foundation in Odense to mark the 200th
anniversary of Andersen’s birth in 2005.
A co-production of Flód og fjara, Domus Vox and the
Icelandic Opera
October 2004 - The Icelandic Opera
Tosca
by Puccini
Conductor: Kurt Kopecky
Costume designer: Thórunn
María Jónsdóttir
Lighting designer: Björn
Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Set designer: Will Bowen
Director: Jamie Hayes
February 2005 - The Icelandic Opera
The Independent Theatres
90
The Independent
Theatres
Season
2004-2006
The Apothecary
A Night in Venice
Apótekarinn
Nótt í Feneyjum
by Haydn
Conductor: Kurt Kopecky
Set/costume designers: Students from
The Iceland Academy of the Arts
Lighting designer: Jóhann Bjarni Pálmason
Director: Ingólfur Níels Árnason
A co-production between the Icelandic
Opera and the Iceland Academy of the Arts
April 2005 – The Icelandic Opera
by Johann Strauss
Conductor: Daníel Bjarnason
Costume designer: Hildur Hinriksdóttir
Lighting designer: Jóhann Bjarni Pálmason
Set design advisor: Sigurjón Jóhannsson
Set designer: Uschi Horner
Director: Uschi Horner
March 2006 – The Icelandic Opera
The Turn of the Screw
People’s Culture Company
HAIR
Tökin hert
by Benjamin Britten
Conductor: Kurt Kopecky
Set /costume designer: Snorri Freyr Hilmarsson
Lighting designer: Björn Bergsteinn
Gudmundsson and Jóhann Bjarni Pálmason
Video artist: Gideon Gabriel Kiers
Director: Halldór E. Laxness
October 2005 - The Icelandic Opera
La Cenerentola
Öskubuska
by Rossini
Conductor: Kurt Kopecky
Assistant director: Peter Ross
Lighting designer: Jóhann Bjarni Pálmason
Set/costume designer: Season Chiu
Director: Paul Suter
February 2006 – The Icelandic Opera
Foreign Plays
Rokksöngleikurinn Hárid
by Gerome Ragni and James Rado
Musical director: Thorvaldur
Bjarni Thorvaldsson
Lighting designer: Björn
Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Choreography: Lára Stefánsdóttir
Costume designer: Hildur Hafstein
Makeup artist: Ásta Hafthórs
Set/Costume designer: Axel Hallkell
Director: Rúnar Freyr Gíslason
The People’s Culture Company/
Menningarfélag Althýdunnar
July 2005 – Austurbaer Theatre
The Independent Theatres
91
The Independent
Theatres
Season
2004-2006
Reykjavík Summer Opera
Happy End
Spa Theatre Society
Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco
By Kurt Weill
Musical directors:Vignir Stefánsson
and Sigtryggur Baldursson
Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Set/costume designer: Elín Edda Árnadóttir
Director: Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir
Producer: Hrólfur Saemundsson
August 2004 – The Icelandic Opera
Glaepur gegn Diskóinu
Side Moon Theatre
I Am My Own Wife
Ég er mín eigin kona
by Doug Wright
Translation: Gudni Kolbeinsson
Actor: ( all 35 roles ) Hilmir Snaer Gudnason
Lighting designer: Björn Bergsteinn Gudmundsson
Costume design: Dýrleif Ýr Örlygsdóttir
and Margrét Einarsdóttir
Scenography: Grétar Reynisson
Director: Stefán Baldursson
Side Moon Theatre/Skámáni in collaboration
with The Cultural and Art Institution of
Kormákur and Skjöldur
September 2005 - Idnó Theatre
Foreign Plays
by Gary Owen
Translation: Gudmundur Ingi Thorvaldsson, Álfrún
Helga Örnólfsdóttir, Fridrik Fridriksson
Music: Hallur Ingólfsson
Assistant director: Thórdís Elva Thorvaldsdóttir
Bachmann
Makeup consultant: Sigrídur Rósa Bjarnadóttir
Lighting designer: Halldór Örn Óskarsson
Set designer: Thórarinn Blöndal
Director: Agnar Jón Egilsson
Producers: Orri Ólafsson/
Íris María Stefánsdóttir
A Co-production between,Vesturport, Reykjavík
City Theatre and Spa Theatre Society/
Steypibadsfélagid Stútur. January 2006 –
Reykjavik City Theatre/New Stage
Theatre On the Scene
Cabaret
Kabarett
by Masteroff, Kander and Ebb
Translation:Veturlidi Gudnason
Musical Director: Karl Olgeirsson
Choreography: Margrét Sara Gudjónsdóttir
Sound designer: Ívar Ragnarsson
Lighting designer: Jóhann Bjarni Pálmason
Costume designer: Hildur Hafstein
Set designer: Snorri Freyr Hilmarsson
Director: Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir
Producers: Ingvar Sverrisson, Felix Bergsson
Theatre On the Scene/Leikhópurinn Á senunni
August 2005 - The Icelandic Opera
The Independent Theatres
92
The Independent
Theatres
Season
2004-2006
Thibilja
The Royal Game
Vesturport
Romeo and Juliet
Manntafl
by William Shakespeare
Translation: Hallgrímur Helgason
Musical director: Karl Olgeirsson
Costume designer:
Thórunn Elísabet Sveinsdóttir
Lighting designer: Lárus Björnsson
Set designer: Börkur Jónsson
Assistant director: Agnar Jónsson
Director: Gisli Örn Gardarsson
Production: Rakel Gardarsdóttir
A co-production with The Young Vic
November 2004
- West End Theatre Playhouse, London
by Stefan Zweig
Adaptation: Thor Tulinius
Translation: Thorarinn Gudnason
Director: Hilmir Snaer Gudnason
Actor: Thór Tulinius
Music/sound: Davíd Thór Jónsson
Lighting designer: Kári Gíslason
Set/costume designer: Rebekka Rán Samper
Co-production between Thibilja and
The Reykjavik City Theatre
September 2005
– Reykjavik City Theatre/New Stage
Thirteen Moons Productions
I’m not gay!
Ég er ekki hommi!
by Daniel Guyton
Translation: Thórdís Elva Thorvaldsdóttir Bachmann
Director: Gudmundur Ingi Thorvaldsson
Set/lighting designer: Sigurdur Kaiser
Music: Ásgrímur Angantýsson
Props: Thórdís Elva
Thorvaldsdóttir Bachmann
Fat costume: Helga Lúdvíksdóttir
Costumes: The company
Producers: Sigurdur Kaiser and
Thirteen Moons Productions
/ Fimbulvetur
January 2005
– Castle in the Sky Theatre
Foreign Plays
WOYZECK
by George Buchner
Music: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
Costume designer: Filippia Elísdóttir
Set designer: Börkur Jónsson
Assistant director: Jón Atli Jónasson
Director: Gisli Örn Gardarsson
Production: Rakel Gardarsdóttir
A co-production between Vesturport,
The Young Vic, Barbican Theatre and
Reykjavik City Theatre
October 2005
- Barbican Theatre
Iceland Academy of the Arts – Students´ Theatre
93
The
Hospital
Ship
by
Kristín
Ómarsdóttir
Spítalaskipid
The citizens of the world follow one system. There are no women in the homes anymore
and there reigns harmony and piece but love is history. The children are made in birth
camps where the becoming fathers arrive to, after having had many genetic tests, and are
mated with the right woman. Boys grow up with their fathers and brothers and in most of
the cases the girls grow up with monks. A ruthless female guerilla team fights against this
world structure and starts a war and thousands of
women escape the birth camps. The war goes on. The
Actors:
Adalbjörg Thóra Árnadóttir
only place where peace can be found is on the HosAtli Thór Albertsson
Gudjón Davíd Karlsson
pital Ship named Hope that sails with injured soldiers
Jóhanna Fridrika
from the battlefields. One day the most powerful men
Saemundsdóttir
Oddný Helgadóttir
of the army hold an emergency meeting on the ship.
Orri Huginn Ágústsson
Ólafur Steinn Ingunnarson
Sara Dögg Ásgeirsdóttir
Choreographer:
Gudmundur Helgason
Songs:
Jóhannes H. Jóhannesson,
Atli Thór Albertsson
Lighting/Multimedia:
Egill Ingibergsson
Programming:
Gideon Kiers
Music/Sound:
Ólöf Arnalds
Costume designer:
Katrín Thorvaldsdóttir
Set designer:
Bjarni Thór Sigurbjörnsson
Dramaturge:
Kristín Eysteinsdóttir
Director:
María Reyndal
January 2005 – Smidjan
Sölvhólsgata
Iceland Academy of the Arts – Students´ Theatre
94
Avoid us
If I weren’t
dead, I’d
laugh now!
by
Hugleikur
Dagsson
A devised
children’s
theatre
Fordist okkur
Nú skyldi ég
hlaeja, vaeri ég
ekki daudur!
Actors:
Adalheidur Halldórsdóttir
Birgitta Birgisdóttir
Dóra Jóhannsdóttir
Halldóra Malín Pétursdóttir
Jörundur Ragnarsson
Magnea Björk Valdimarsdóttir
Stefán Hallur Stefánsson
Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
Valur Freyr Einarsson
Vídir Gudmundsson
Music and sound:
Davíd Thór Jónsson
Hair/Make up:
Oddvar Örn Hjartarson
Design:
Ilmur Stefánsdóttir
Design assistant:
Kristján Björn Thórdarson
Lighting,Video Design,
Technical Director:
Egill Ingibergsson
Costumes:
Rannveig Kristjánsdóttir, Elsa María Blöndal,
Ilmur Stefánsdóttir
Directors:
Stefán Jónsson, Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir
A co-production with CommonNonsense and
Reykjavik City Theatre
See page 49
September 2005 –
Reykjavik City Theatre/Small globe
Actors:
Birgitta Birgisdóttir
Dóra Jóhannsdóttir
Halldóra Malín Pétursdóttir
Jörundur Ragnarsson
Magnea Björk Valdimarsdóttir
Stefán Hallur Stefánsson
Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
Vídir Gudmundsson
Ass. director:
Vala Thórsdóttir
Music:
Ragnhildur Gísladóttir
Lighting designer:
Páll Ragnarsson
Costume designer:
Thórunn Elísabet Sveinsdóttir
Set designer:
Frosti Fridriksson
Director:
Ágústa Skúladóttir
A co-production with the
National Theatre
See page 18
May 2006 – National Theatre/Small stage
Iceland Academy of the Arts –
Stúdentaleikhúsid
Iceland Academy of the Arts – Students´ Theatre
Iceland
Academy of
the ArtsStudents´
Theatre
95
Season
2004-2006
Foreign Plays
The Dream
Three sisters
Draumurinn
Thrjár systur
by William Shakespeare
Sound design: Hrafnkell Pálmarsson, Páll Ragnar Pálsson
Costume design: Elma Backman, Thórey Hannesdóttir
Animation: Egill Ingibergsson, Móeidur Helgadóttir, Orri
Huginn Ágústsson
Hair: Óli Boggi
Makeup artist: Kristín Thors
Music arrangement: Kjartan Ólafsson
Set/Lighting design: Egill Ingibergsson, Móeidur Helgadóttir
Dramaturge: Gudmundur Brynjólfsson
Director: Rúnar Gudbrandsson
October 2004
– Smidjan Sölvhólsgata
By Anton Pavlovítsj Tsjekhov
Translation: Ingibjörg Haraldsdóttir
Translation of poems: Geir Kristjánsson
Dramaturge: Magnús Thór Thorbergsson
Music: Ólöf Helga Arnalds
Band: Strakovsky Horo
Set designer: Móeidur Helgadóttir
Lighting designer: Egill Ingibergsson
Set/lighting assistant: Magnús Arnar Sigurdarson
Costume designer: Kristína Bermann
Hair/Makeup: Kolfinna Knútsdóttir
Director: Harpa Arnardóttir
December 2005
– Reykjavik City Theatre/Small Globe
A Dream Play
Draumleikur
by August Strindberg
Translation: Haflidi Arngrímsson
Lighting designer: Lárus Björnsson
Hair/Makeup: Gudrún Thorvardadóttir
Sound: Pétur Thór Benediktsson, Jakob Tryggvason
Music: Pétur Thór Benediktsson
Costume designer: Stefanía Adolfsdóttir
Set designer: Grétar Reynisson
Director: Benedikt Erlingsson
Co-production with Reykjavik City Theatre
Mars 2005
– Reykjavik City Theatre/Main Stage
Radio Drama
96
The Icelandic State Broadcasting Service:
Radio Drama
2004
Trio
The Icelandic nobility
Tríó
by Diana Webster
Translator: Gísli Rúnar Jónsson
Director: Ásdís Thórhallsdóttir
January 2004
Hinn íslenski adall
by Thórbergur Thórdarson/
Bjarni Jónsson
Director:Vidar Eggertsson
March 2004
Holiday in England
norway.today
Sumar á Englandi
by Evald Flisar
Translator: Hallmar Sigurdsson
Director: Hjálmar Hjálmarsson
January 2004
by Igor Bauersima
Translator: María Kristjánsdóttir
Director: Ingólfur Níels Árnason
March 2004
La Demande d’emploi
Saga frá Pyreneafjöllum
by Haukur Sigurdsson
Director: Sigurdur Skúlason
April 2004
Atvinnuumsóknin
by Michel Vinaver
Translator: Sigurdur Pálsson
Director: María Kristjánsdóttir
February 2004
The hymn about the flower
Sálmurinn um blómid
by Thórbergur Thórdarson/
Jón Hjartarson
Director: María Reyndal
February 2004
You can’t put sound on hold
Hljód fara ekki í bid
by Vésteinn Lúdvíksson
Director: Harpa Arnardóttir
February 2004
A story from the Pyrenees
Calderón
by Paolo P. Pasolini
Translator: Audur Haralds
Director: Kristín Jóhannesdóttir
May 2004
Fish out of water
Fiskar á thurru landi
by Árni Ibsen
Director: Sveinn Einarsson
May 2004
Wind from the southwest
Útsynningur
by Gunnar Gunnsteinsson
Director: María Reyndal
June 2004
The woman who
disappeared
Konan sem hvarf
by Aevar Örn Jósepsson/
Ingunn Ásdísardóttir
Director: Ingólfur Níels Árnason
August 2004
Tomorrow maybe
Kannski á morgun
by Jón Gnarr
Director: Jón Gnarr
October 2004
The perfect man
Hinn fullkomni madur
by Mikael Torfason
Director: Hilmir
Snaer Gudnason
November 2004
Namnet
Nafnid
by Jon Fosse
Translator:
Hjalti Rögnvaldsson
Sound designer:
Jón Hallur Stefánsson
Leikstjóri: Sigrún
Edda Björnsdóttir
December 2004
Radio Drama
97
The Icelandic State Broadcasting Service:
Radio Drama
2005
Angels
Englabörn
by Hávar Sigurjónsson
Director: Hávar Sigurjónsson
Music: Jóhann Jóhannsson
January 2005
Night
A Star Called Henry
Hinn eini sanni Henry Smart
by Roddy Doyle
Translator: Bjarni Jónsson
Director: Thórhildur
Thorleifsdóttir
March 2005
Nótt
The magicians´ chest
by Elísabet Kristín Jökulsdóttir
Director: Hallmar Sigurdsson
January 2005
Kista töframannsins
Herjólfur has
ceased to love
by Thórdís Elva
Thorvaldsdóttir Bachmann
Director: Steinunn Knútsdóttir
November 2005
Herjólfur er haettur ad elska
Amen
by Sigtryggur Magnason
Director: Stefán Jónsson
Music: Kristín Björk
Kristjánsdóttir
January 2005
by Gunnar Gunnsteinsson
Director: Gunnar Gunnsteinsson
March 2005
Business
Bransi
by Jón Atli Jónasson
Director: Sigrún
Edda Björnsdóttir
February 2005
Ik Zeeuws meisje,
de Maria Magdalena van de
zuivelvoorziening
María Magdalena mjólkurbúanna
by Marjolein Bierens
Translator: Olga
Gudrún Árnadóttir
Director: María Kristjánsdóttir
February 2005
Liv
Líf
by Jon Fosse
Translator: Hallmar Sigurdsson
Director: Bjarni Jónsson
April 2005
The Sea King’s Daughter
Dóttir saekonungs
by Georg Mackay Brown
Translator: Adalsteinn
Ásberg Sigurdsson
Director: Lárus Ýmir Óskarsson
Music: Sverrir Gudjónsson
October 2005
What´s in the
cornerstone?
Hvad er í blýhólknum?
by Svava Jakobsdóttir
Director: María Kristjánsdóttir
Music/Sound: Sigtryggur
Magnússon
October 2005
Nobel Prize mania
and glows
Nóbelsmanía og Vettlingar
by Elísabet Jökulsdóttir
Director: Kristín Eysteinsdóttir
November 2005
Was geschah, nachdem
Nora ihren Mann verlassen hatte
Hvad gerdist eftir ad Nóra yfirgaf
eiginmann sinn
by Elfriede Jelinek
Translator: Jórunn
Sigurdardóttir/
Elísa Björg Thorsteinsdóttir
Director: Sigrún Valbergsdóttir
November 2005
Shadow-Sveinn
Skugga-Sveinn
by Matthías Jochumson
Director:Vidar Eggertsson
December 2005
Radio Drama
98
The Icelandic State Broadcasting Service:
Radio Drama
2006
Someone at the door
Einhver í dyrunum
by Sigurdur Pálsson
Director: Bjarni Jónsson
Music: Pétur Grétarsson
January 2006
Le Malentendu
Misskilningurinn
by Albert Camus
Translator: Sigurdur Pálsson
Director: Kristín
Jóhannesdóttir
January 2005
The Papar
Papar
by Brian FitzGibbon
Translator: Árni Ibsen
Director: Kristín Jóhannesdóttir
Music: Sverrir Gudjónsson
February 2006
Unmarked Opus in c-moll
Ómerktur opus í c-moll
by Karl Águst Úlfsson
Director: Ingólfur Níels Árnason
Music: Ólöf Helga Arnaldsdóttir
March 2006
Poet searching
for tragedy
I can see a man
Skáld leitar harms
by Jónína Leósdóttir
Director: Ásdís Thoroddsen
May 2006
by Gudmundur
Ingi Thorvaldsson
Director: Sigrún
Edda Björnsdóttir
April 2006
The stone
Steinninn
by Andrés Indridason
Director: María Reyndal
Music: Úlfur Eldjárn
April 2006
Hér er kominn madur
The Sleepman
Svefnmadurinn
by Steinunn Sigurdardóttir
Director: María Kristjánsdóttir
Music: Hallur Ingólfsson
May 2006
Television Drama
99
The Icelandic State Broadcasting Service:
Television Drama
Christmas Calendar 2004
Örnen
Jóladagatal sjónvarpsins 2004
Örninn/The Eagle
Children’s programme
Director: Sigmundur Örn
Arngrímsson
Crime series
Nordic co-production
6.2.2005
Running time: 8x55´
1.12.2004
Running time: 24x5´
Our Christmas show
Jólastundin okkar
Children’s programme
Director: Eggert Gunnarsson
25.12.2004
Running time: 55´
Christmas Calendar 2005
Jóladagatal sjónvarpsins 2005
Children’s programme
Directors: Jóhann G. Jóhansson,
Eggert Gunnarsson
1.12.2004
Running time: 24x5´
New Year’s Eve Entertainment Programme 2004
The Greenhouse
Áramótaskaup Sjónvarpsins 2004
TV-play
Director: Thórhallur Sigurdsson
25.12.2005
Running time: 1´29
Director: Sigurdur Sigurjónsson
31.12.2004
Running time: 51´58
The Dance Contest
Danskeppnin
Children’s programme
Director: Egill Edvardsson
1.1.2005
Running time: 15:00 Graena landid
2004 - 2006
New Year’s Eve
Entertainment
Programme 2005
Áramótaskaup sjónvarpsins 2005
Director: Edda Björgvinsdóttir
31.12.2005
Running time: 53´
Amateur Theatre Companies
100
New plays produced by
Amateur Theatre Companies
2004 - 2006
Patataz
The Pet craze
The Spellbound town
Hugleikur/
Mind Game Theatre Group
Written by:
Björn Margeir Sigurjónsson
Director: Bergur Thór Ingólfsson
Gaeludýrafárid
Álagabaerinn
Freyvangsleikhúsid/
Freyvangur Theatre
Written by: Helgi Thórsson and
Sverrir Fridriksson
Director: Helgi Thórsson
Leikfélag Reydarfjardar/
Reydarfjördur Theatre Co.
Written by:
Ármann Gudmundsson
Director:
Ármann Gudmundsson
Blood ties A family splatter
The Women´s charity club
Enginn med Steindóri
Kvenfélagid
Aera´s rebellion
Hugleikur/
Mind Game Theatre Group
Written by:
Nína Björk Jónsdóttir
Director: Thorgeir Tryggvason
Leikfélag Dalvíkur/
Dalvík Theatre Co.
Written by: Arnar Símonarson, Dana
Jóna Sveinsdóttir, Fridrik Ómar
Hjörleifsson and
Sólveig Rögnvaldsdóttir
Director: Arnar Símonarson
Uppreisn Aeru
With the world
in the pocket
Nature calls
Med veröldina í vasanum
Leikfélag Selfoss/
Selfoss Theatre Co.
Written by: Sigrún
Sól Ólafsdóttir and the group
Director: Sigrún Sól Ólafsdóttir
Memento mori
Hugleikur og
Leikfélag Kópavogs/
Mind Game Theatre Group and
Kópavogur Theatre Co.
Written by:
Hrefna Fridriksdóttir
Director: Ágústa Skúladóttir
In every creature’s shape
Allra kvikinda líki
Leikfélag Kópavogs/
Kópavogur Theatre Co.
Written by: Gudjón Th. Pálmarsson
and Hrund Ólafsdóttir
Directors: Gudjón Th. Pálmarsson
and Hrund Ólafsdóttir
Leikfélag Djúpavogs/
Djúpivogur Theatre Co.
Written by: Hallgrímur Oddson
Director: Hallgrímur Oddson
Leikfélag Reydarfjardar/
Reydarfjördur Theatre Co.
Written by:
Ármann Gudmundsson
Director:
Ármann Gudmundsson
Náttúran kallar
Amateur Theatre Companies
101
New plays produced by
Amateur Theatre Companies
2004 - 2006
The Daily rounds
Dead serious
Opera
Stofugangur
Daudans alvara
Ópera
Leikfélag Selfoss/
Selfoss Theatre Co.
Written by: Katrín Karlsdóttir
and the group
Director: Katrín Karlsdóttir
Skagaleikflokkurinn/
Akranes Theatre Group
Written by: Gunnar
Sturla Hervararson
Director: Gunnar Sturla Hervararson and Gudbjört Árnadóttir
Leikklúbburinn Spuni/
Spuni Theatre Club
Written by: The group
Director: Steinunn Knútsdóttir
The attack of the Turks
Tyrkjaránid
You know how it is
Leikfélag Vestmannaeyja/
Vestmanna Island Theatre Co.
Written by: Sigurgeir Jónsson
Director: Andrés Sigurvinsson
Thú veist hvernig thetta er
The Still island
Stúdentaleikhúsid/
The University Theatre Group
Written by: The group
Director: Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
Kyrrláta eyjan
Seabird variations
Leikfélag Vestmannaeyja/
Vestmanna Island Theatre Co.
Written by: Ólafur Gudmundsson
and Katerina Strøm
Director: Ólafur Gudmundsson and
Katerina Strøm
Tilbrigdi vid sjófugl
Davíd Oddsson Superstar
Leikklúbburinn Saga/
Saga Theatre Club
Written by:
Jón Páll Eyjólfsson and the group
Director: Jón Páll Eyjólfsson
Crowdpleaser
Krádplíser
Reykvíska listaleikhúsid/
The Reykjavík Art Theatre
Written by: Jón Atli Jónasson
Director: Ólafur Egill Egilsson
Stúdentaleikhúsid/
The University Theatre Group
Adaptation: The group
Directors: Edda Björg
Eyjólfsdóttir and Marta Nordal
A Christmas carol
Jólaaevintýri
Hugleikur/
Mind Game Theatre Group
Written by: Sigrídur Lára
Sigurjónsdóttir, Sigrún Óskarsdóttir,
Snaebjörn Ragnarsson
and Thorgeir Tryggvason
Director: The authors
Amateur Theatre Companies
102
New plays produced by
Amateur Theatre Companies
Sisters
Systur
Hugleikur/
Mind Game Theatre Group
Written by:
Thórunn Gudmundsdóttir
Director: Thorgeir Tryggvason
It heals before you get
married
Keflavík, Iceland, the
Universe or your Mother
It´s an Ostrich, you see!
Keflavík, Ísland, alheimurinn
eda mamma thín
Leikhópurinn Lopi/
Lopi Theatre Group
Written by: Magnús J. Magnússon
Director: Magnús J. Magnússon
Leikfélag Keflavíkur/
Keflavík Theatre Co.
Written by: The group
Director: Sigurdur Eyberg
Live broadcast
Thad graer ádur en thú giftir thig
Í beinni
Leikfélag Kópavogs/
Kópavogur Theatre Co.
Written by: Sigrún Sól
Ólafsdóttir and the group
Director: Sigrún Sól Ólafsdóttir
Leikfélag Mosfellssveitar/
Mosfellssveit Theatre Co.
Written by: Hrafnkell Stefánsson and
Nói Kristinsson
Director:
Gudný María Jónsdóttir
The Eternal bliss
Hin endanlega hamingja
Leikfélag Hafnarfjardar/
Hafnarfjördur Theatre Co.
Written by: Lárus
Húnfjörd Vilhjálmsson
Director: Lárus
Húnfjörd Vilhjálmsson
ALF
The Ugly People’s
Resistance.
Leikfélag Kópavogs/
Kópavogur Theatre Co.
Written by: Gudjón Th.
Pálmarsson, Oddur Bjarni
Thorkelsson and the group
Director:
Oddur Bjarni Thorkelsson
2004 - 2006
Thurídur and the
burglary at Kambur
Thurídur og Kambsránid
Leikfélag Selfoss/
Selfoss Theatre Co.
Written by: Sigurgeir
Hilmar Fridthjófsson
Director: Jón Stefán
Kristjánsson
Thetta er strútur, skiluru!
Animanina
Stúdentaleikhúsid/
The University Theatre Group
Written by:Víkingur
Kristjánsson and the group
Director: Víkingur Kristjánsson
The Icelandic Theatre Awards – Gríman
The Icelandic Theatre Awards were established in 2003 by the Icelandic Centre
of the ITI and are handed over in June at the end of each theatrical year. The
purpose of the whole is to reward outstanding theatre practitioners and works
as well as drawing attention to the vibrant
theatre practice in Iceland. Furthermore The Lifetime Achievement Awards is a
very important category. It salutes and
it is a great feast for all the theatre practireflects on artists who have dedicated
tioners that have shared blood, sweat and their lives to stage arts and bridge the
tears in their aim for making great pieces gap between past and present, enof art. And some of them will be awarded. thusiasm and experience, dreams and
success.
The Award committee consists of 28 professionals from all strands of theatre who Gríman, which means the Mask, will be
were chosen by the 16 associate groups held for the fourth time on June 16th
of ICITI. There are 17 award categories 2006.
in the Icelandic Theatre Awards and the
committee votes in 14 of them. There is a
separate committee of 5 people who are
voting for the best radio production. And
lastly there is the people’s choice where
the public vote for their favourite show
through the Internet.
Theatre In Iceland
104
Gríman – Awardees 2004
Theatre Production
Things are going great /
Thetta er allt ad koma
by Hallgrímur Helgason;
adaptation by Baltasar Kormákur
The National Theatre
Featured actress
Steinunn Ólína
Thorsteinsdóttir
for
Richard III /
Ríkhardur thridji
The National Theatre
Director
Baltasar Kormákur
Scenic Design
Grétar Reynisson
Leading actor
Eggert Thorleifsson
Costume design
Elín Edda Árnadóttir
Leading actress
Brynhildur Gudjónsdóttir
Lighting design
Egill Ingibergsson
Featured actor
Björn Thors
Music/Original score
Jóhann G. Jóhannsson
for
Things are going great /
Thetta er allt ad koma
The National Theatre
for
Belgian Congo/
Belgíska Kongó
Reykjavik City Theatre
for
Edith Piaf
The National Theatre
for
The Greenhouse/
Graena landid
The National Theatre
for
Things are going great /
Thetta er allt ad koma
The National Theatre
for
Chicago
Reykjavik City Theatre
For
The Master and Margarita/
Meistarinn og Margaríta
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
for
Edith Piaf
The National Theatre
Theatre In Iceland
105
Gríman – Awardees 2004
Playwright
Jón Atli Jónasson
Radio production
Vidar Eggertsson director
Choreography
Lára Stefánsdóttir
People’s choice
Chicago
Dance production
Luna/Lúna
Lifetime
Achievement
Awards
Sigrídur Ármann
for
Surf/Brim
Vesturport
for
Luna/Lúna
Iceland Dance Company
by Lára Stefánsdóttir
Iceland Dance Company
for
The Icelandic nobility/
Hinn íslenski adall
by Bjarni Jónsson based on the
story by
Thórbergur Thórdarson
Icelandic State Broadcasting Service
By John Kander and Fred Ebb
Directed by
Thorhildur Thorleifsdottir
Reykjavik City Theatre
for
her pioneering work
in the field of dance in Iceland.
Children’s production
Hakke Bakke Forest
By Thorbjorn Egner
Directed by
Sigurdur Sigurjónsson
The National Theatre
Theatre In Iceland
106
Gríman – Awardees 2005
Theatre Production
A Dream Play/
Draumleikur
Featured actress
Gudrún S. Gísladóttir
Director
Benedikt Erlingsson
Scenic Design
Grétar Reynisson
Leading actor
Ólafur Egill Egilsson
Costume design
Filippía I. Elísdóttir
Leading actress
Hanna María Karlsdóttir
Lighting Design
Björn Bergsteinn
Gudmundsson
by August Strindberg
Reykjavik City Theatre in
collaboration with
Iceland Academy of The Arts
– Students´ Theatre
for
A Dream Play/
Draumleikur
Reykjavik City Theatre in
collaboration with
Iceland Academy of The Arts
- Students´ Theatre
for
Óliver!
Akureyri City Theatre
and for
Black Milk/
Svört mjólk
The National Theatre
for
Lapin Lapin/
Héri Hérason
Reykjavik City Theatre
Featured actor
Thröstur Leó Gunnarsson
for
The Pillowman/
Koddamadurinn
The National Theatre
for
By the Bog of Cats/
Mýrarljós
The National Theatre
for
A Dream Play/
Draumleikur
Reykjavik City Theatre
for
Sweeney Todd
The Icelandic Opera
for
Úlfhams saga
Second Stage and
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
Music/Original score
Eivør Pálsdóttir
for
Úlfhams saga
Second Stage and
Hafnarfjordur Theatre Company
Theatre In Iceland
107
Gríman – Awardees 2005
Playwright
Kristín Ómarsdóttir
for
Tell me everything/
Segdu mér allt
Reykjavik City Theatre
Radio production
Hávar Sigurjónsson
director
for
Angels/
Englabörn
by
Hávar Sigurjónsson
Icelandic State Broadcasting Service
Choreography
Erna Ómarsdóttir
People’s choice
Óliver!
Dance production
Screensaver
Lifetime
Achievement
Awards
Jón Sigurbjörnsson,
for
We are all Marlene Dietrich FOR/
Vid erum öll Marlene Dietrich FOR
Iceland Dance Company/
Maska Production
by
Rami Be´er
Iceland Dance Company
Children’s production
Rude Lads and
Royal Ladies,
The Fairytale world of
H.C. Andersen /
Klaufar og kóngsdaetur
by Ármann Gudmundsson,
Saevar Sigurgeirsson and
Thorgeir Tryggvason
Directed by Ágústa Skúladóttir
The National Theatre
Directed by Magnús Geir
Thordarson
Akureyri City Theatre
singer, actor and director for
enriching Icelandic stage arts
with his work.
On the occasion of the World Theatre Day 2005
Arthur Miller – one of last century’s greatest playwrights – died a few weeks
ago. He wrote his greatest works around the mid-century and even though he
far from retired after that he was often asked why he had not written more
than he turned out to do. The playwright answered
something along the lines that had he had a theatre
to write for, he would have. Following the dominance of commercial theatre at Broadway he just
didn’t have a forum. Investors were not interested in
artistic risk or critical theatre – they were interested
in profit. In light of Miller’s comment it seems appropriate to use the World Theatre Day – which the
International Theatre Institute arranges yearly – to
focus on conditions in this country and where we
are heading.
The number of employed artists in the theatres in
Iceland has reduced by one-third in the past years
without anyone paying particular attention to it. A
great part of the plays put on stage suffer from lack
of means and frequently the artists receive little or
nothing for their contribution.Theatre, and in fact all
artistic activity, institutes, single-workers and grass
root activity alike, is increasingly being referred to
companies or financially sound individuals for fundraising. In theatre only the National Theatre is relatively untouched by this development.
It is risky to rely too heavily on this way of fund-raising. It has no legal underpinning, not even unwritten, and the danger is that people back out when least
expected – depending on the prospect. There will always be the tendency to
jump on the wagon going fastest, rather than the one
going down the road less traveled; to associate with
the ones shining brightly, but not in the darkness of
uncertainty and risk. Theatre contingent on market
forces can surely entertain and delight, which should
not be underestimated, but rarely can it contribute
more.
Only professional theatre, supported by government
funding, where the artists are secured a continuum
in their work and conditions to develop their art,
can shoulder the miscellaneous role of art. A role,
difficult to define or prove, but most telling would be
to ask each and every one to picture a human community without art – without creation. What kind of
a community do we face then?
This should be the aspiration even though we may
never accomplish that goal. A theatre that works,
thinks and breathes with and for the people in this
country will yield the interest and support of the
audience.
Thórhildur Thorleifsdóttir
Director
Phot o: Eddi ©
But the theatre can only demand necessary support
from the society when it has demonstrated that it
lives up to its role. Both institutions and individuals
have to introspect and ask critical questions. Is theatre an active participant of the society? Is it fulfilling
its role as an examiner and definer of the complexity
of human behavior and communities, a stimulant for
original creation and understanding, thoughts and
criticism? Is it the representative of humanity, peace
and human rights it should strive to be?
On the occasion of the World Theatre Day 2006
Even though someone arises in public and demands the attention of those
present it is not necessarily a theatrical event. If that person steps onto a box
it is getting closer, but it could still be a political speech or a sermon, it could
even be a presentation of a new toothpaste brand. If that person speaks loudly
and affectedly, sings and dances or moves in an unusual way, dresses up in weird
clothes or no clothes at all, it is definitely theatre. Especially if the person is
naked. If, on top of that, the person tells juicy lies that catch the attention, then
you can be sure it is an actor. But only if the whole audience agrees to the
cock-&-bull story as something beyond and better than the truth for a while.
The actor is very competent if the audience forgets that they have to pee for
an hour and a half at least.
The imagination, insight and creativity of the actor
evokes precisely these qualities in every onlooker
and that creates what we call theater.. This interaction is the heart of the matter. For increased effect
and variety, two or more actors join forces; but then
it becomes necessary to enlarge the box, even build
an elevated platform. Next curtains are hung up to
hide an ugly background, roof is needed to give shelter from the rain, stage lighting has to be plugged-in
to be able to work in the dark, and to make a long
evolutionary story short, today we have what we
call theatre. A great number of people works at the
theatre, spinning and weaving precious cloth out of
nothing, just like the weavers in the story of the emperor’s new clothes. But unlike those swindlers no
one is deceiving on purpose but trying hard to honor the play the best they can. We all want to unveil
the truth behind the lies, but should that fail it would
be very refreshing if the audience assumed the role
of the child in the story and yelled out loudly across
the room: “but he’s not wearing anything!”
Stígur Steinthórsson
Set designer
Theatre In Iceland
Useful
contacts
2004 - 2006
The Icelandic Dancers Union
Hjallabrekka 28, 200 Kópavogur
Tel: + 354 661 74 94
www.dance.is
The Icelandic Opera
Ingólfsstraeti , 101 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 511 6400
[email protected]
www.opera.is
Akureyri City Theatre
Hafnarstraeti 57, 600 Akureyri
Tel: +354 460 02 00
[email protected]
www.leikfelag.is
Association of Icelandic
Amateur Theatre Companies
Laugavegur 96, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 551 69 74
www.leiklist.is
[email protected]
Hafnarfjördur Theatre Company
Strandgata 50, 200 Hafnarfjördur
Tel: +354 555 22 22
[email protected]
www.hhh.is
Iceland Academy of the Arts
Skipholti 1,105
Tel: +354 552 40 00
[email protected]
www.lhi.is
The Icelandic Actors Union
Lindargata 6, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 552 60 40
www.actors-union.is
[email protected]
Iceland Dance Company - ID
Listabraut 3, 103 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 588 0900
[email protected]
www.id.is
The Icelandic Centre of ITI
President Vidar Eggertsson
[email protected]
The Icelandic Playwrights Union
Gunnarshús
Dyngjuvegur 8, 104 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 568 31 90
[email protected]
www.leikskald.is
The Icelandic State Broadcasting Service
Efstaleiti 1, 150 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 515 30 00
[email protected]
www.ruv.is
The Independent Theatres
Lindargata 6, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 551 14 00
[email protected]
www.leikhopar.is
The National Theatre of Iceland
Lindargata 7, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 585 12 00
[email protected]
www.leikhusid.is
The Reykjavík Arts Festival
Laekjargata 3b, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 561 24 44
[email protected]
www.artfest.is
Reykjavik City Theatre
Listabraut 3, 103 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 568 55 00
[email protected]
www.borgarleikhus.is
Union of Stage Directors
Lindargata 6, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 562 65 65
http://rvik.ismennt.is/~leikstj/index.html
Theatre
in
Iceland
The
Icelandic
Theatre
Association
/
The
Icelandic
Centre
of the
ITI
2004
/
2006