Christmas is not necessarily that simple. Perhaps especially when you are an adult. For many, the Christmas celebration becomes a summary of what was, and what is – and where you find yourself in life. Not always just cozy, not always just simple. The Riksteatret takes this seriously in its new humour-reminiscence-crime Christmas performance “The Dream of a White Christmas”. In collaboration with the National Theater and the acclaimed State Theater (which, among other things, has performed Norway’s thousand-year history in ten performances) they have now created a Christmas theater about everything that did not turn out quite as one had imagined. When you wish upon a star Christmas is approaching at old Dagny Kristoffersen’s home. She has two sons, one is often with her, the other she has not seen for ten years. Dagny herself (Lena Kristin Ellingsen) is in a wheelchair and so to speak blind, she needs a lot of help, which her son Frank (Cato Skimten Storengen) is quite tired of taking responsibility for. Just as it is, the other son (Nader Khademi) comes home to celebrate Christmas. Mother is happy, but the atmosphere between the brothers is intense. They clearly agree that it would have been best if grandma took the evening off too well. And right as it is – again! – there is a knock on the door. It is time to fulfill wishes. (UN)FINE VISIT: Timmi Grasshopper? The goblin? Father Nicholas? Beloved (?) children have many names – here, in any case, Gard B. Eidsvold is the indefinable figure who comes to visit on Christmas Eve. Photo: PERNILLE SANDBERG/RIKSTEATRET Gard B. Eidsvold is the joker, the goblin, possibly the Timmi Gresshopper character in this story. He says he represents the firm “Nicolas, Nicolas, Nicolas and son”, and as soon as the bewildered brothers sign the contract he has with him, the enjoyable nightmare begins. Because the visit doesn’t just offer a solution to the mother problem, Nicolas also brings a case of vintage wine with him. When you drink from the various bottles, you are taken back to the year the wine is from. Thus begins a reminiscence of good and bad – a reminiscence with high hair. TIME TRAVEL: The wine takes those who drink it back to the year it was made. It offers a lot of fun. Photo: Pernille Sandberg / Riksteatret In vino veritas Through the wine flashbacks, the family history builds up. The memories are played out, not always to the benefit of the people involved in the story. What is shown are, among other things, decisive moments in the mother’s life. The mother’s background makes her a more nuanced character than in the sons’ portrayal of her. The sons do not necessarily appear as the best versions of themselves in the memories that are played out. But those are just memories. What is true? Is the truth found in the wine, as the old expression “In vino veritas” says? ELVIS: High hairdo in “The Dream of a White Christmas”. Here: Nader Khademi. Photo: Pernille Sandberg / Riksteatret The interaction is exuberant and exuberant when the actors are allowed to unfold. Sparkling flashes of comic timing characterize the play, but the energy is variable, especially from the start. It has to do with the play’s sometimes convoluted logic. Towards the end comes a surprising and abrupt turning point that makes the pieces fall into place. The show could still make it easier for itself in terms of narrative. Ellingsen is razor-sharp and balanced as the mother in both the old and young versions, and she also sings well (singing is compulsory in Christmas performances, it seems). Photo: Pernille Sandberg / Riksteatret “The Dream of a White Christmas” is an unexpected Christmas story with lots of comedy, strong actors, good musical performances and a tough story. It has deliciously nasty splatter sound effects and wigs made with lots of love. The performance offers seriousness, banter and slapstick. The story still needs to be fleshed out better for this to be a real Christmas hit. The moral pokes playfully and cheekily in our deepest, innermost darkness: Be careful what you wish for. news reviewer Photo: Pernille Sandberg / Riksteatret Title: “The dream of a white Christmas” Director: Yngve Sundvor Where: Tour throughout Norway through the State Theater Date: 9 November – 17 December Produced by: Riksteatret in collaboration with the State Theater and the National Theater Musical organizer: Andreas Utnem Sound design: Rikard Strømsodd Lighting design: Axel Sundbotten Mask: Helge Borgen Producer: Wenche Viktorsdatter Paulsen Cast: Gard B. Eidsvoll Lena Kristin Ellingsen Nader Khademi Cato Skimten Storengen More reviews of this year’s Christmas performances:
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“The dream of a white Christmas” at the Riksteatret – Reviews and recommendations
