Axel Jensen’s novel “Epp” from 1965 was a satirical futuristic novel when it was published. The main character Epp lives in a kind of highly efficient society, but he himself is a technological laggard – and proud of it. Epp is an old man who doubts his routines: He boils his egg in a pot of water and not through contemporary radiation cooking, and he keeps his memoirs with pen and ink. A fellow of the right old school, that is. A LOT OF ALONE TIME: The puppet theater performance “Epp” is primarily a story about loneliness. Photo: Tormod Lindgren Collection and resistance Jensen’s novel is a Norwegian sci-fi classic, translated into several languages. Now it has become puppet theatre. Theater Corpus, led by Tormod Lindgren, is an ambitious puppet theater company. On the merit list, they have, among other things, the show “Simplissimus” from 2021. It was about a German satire magazine that played havoc with Europe’s authorities at the beginning of the 20th century. Then Hitler came to power, and satire became dangerous. “Epp” is not as politically topical as “Simplissimus” was, although criticism of an assembly line society stuffed with technological optimism is not directly off limits. Neither is the resistance in the zinc Epp. The performance “Epp” appears most of all as a thematization of loneliness at its premiere during the Ultima Festival in Oslo. And in a very artful way. Beautiful, visual tools Because here, many of the tools work together: Lindgren is known for his elaborate figures, and figures and games show perfection at the fingertips. The lighting follows the figures’ intentions. The scenography is inventive and fun where Epp’s carnivorous plant comes lazily to life or where details in Epp’s dog pattern wallpaper suddenly come to life. DEPP WITH EPP: Visual means effectively express human loneliness in a streamlined, technology-driven world. Photo: Tormod Lindgren Puppeteer Geir Robsrud gives Epp a believable and soulful voice, and the interaction between the three puppeteers (Thomas Hildebrand, Dominika Minkacz-Sira and Robsrud) is attentive and seamless. Peter Knudsen’s video design brings out the small human in the large and streamlined. The contemporary music ensemble Oslo Sinfonietta closes the puppet theater performance. But: Do you need a musical ensemble of 15 to carry out this performance? Dramaturgical quarrel This is where it all boils down to “Epp”. Not in the musical execution, certainly not, but in the way the story is told as a whole where the narrative and the music should play together. The challenges line up in dramatic passages where the character leaders and the musical ensemble almost have to compete for who tells the story. On the whole, it is in the dramaturgy that “Epp” has its weak points. The Oslo Sinfonietta is placed behind the scenography, which means that the musicians cannot interact with the action on stage. The conductor is also placed here, and the ensemble is only partially visible to the audience. This choice emphasizes the performance’s loss of opportunity for musical interactivity and humor. Direct contact between musicians and performers could open up exciting detailed playing and improvisation. Not least for lively interaction and more coherent storytelling. The absence of this possibility is reinforced by the fact that the visual interaction fits so well. NEIGHBORHOOD VISIT: Elaborate puppets and scenography characterize the performance “Epp”. Epp, the doll on the left, is here visited by his neighbour, Lem. Performers are Geir Robsrud (left) and Thomas Hildebrand. Photo: Camilla Jensen Lugger It is felt that the Oslo Sinfonietta does not come into its own in “Epp”. Once the ensemble has passages where they can take their place, they compete in several of them against the lines of the characters, which are also central to the same passages. As an audience, it becomes difficult to concentrate, there are too many narrative elements at once. There is nothing wrong with Lars Skoglund’s compositions for the performance, it must be emphasized, the musical background is well delivered, it is dynamic and suits Axel Jensen’s story in every way. But it is and will be a substrate. If this performance is to really have nerve, the musical narrative voice should come into its own to a greater extent than it is allowed to now. Individually, “Epp” consists of elements of very high quality. But when they are put together, some of the joints still lag. news reviews Photo: Tormod Lindgren Title: “Epp” What: Figure theater based on Axel Jensen’s novel “Epp”. Where: Riksscenen, during Ultimafestivalen 2022 Concept, director, visual design and production: Tormod Lindgren Dramatization: Aina Villanger Musical performers: Oslo Sinfonietta Conductor: Magnus Loddgard Actors, performers: Thomas Hildebrand, Geir Robsrud and Dominika Minkacz-Sira Composer: Lars Skoglund Light design : Oscar Udbye Video: Peter Knudsen Assistant scenographer: Piotr Chrzanowski Assistant director, dramaturg: Oda Holmvik Bredvold Producer (Theater CORPUS): Camilla Svingen and Patricia Michlits, SYV MIL AS Producer: (Oslo Sinfonietta): Sarah Ludwig-Simkin
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