It is a bit reminiscent of Detektimen on Fridays on news. During one episode, a famous, often eccentric, detective (Sherlock Holmes, Poirot and Derrick) could solve gruesome murder mysteries wrapped in something homely, very exciting and quite safe. SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR: One of the suspects is the painter Nils Gustaf (Paul Ottar Haga, right). Læstadius (Nils Henrik Buljo) allows himself to be portrayed several times to find out if he is the culprit. Photo: Aslak Mikal Mienna Koke korona-bjørn The theatrical version of «Koke bjørn» gives a bit of the same feeling. When the Sami National Theater Beaivváš was to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2020, they put Mikael Niemi’s novel on the poster. The corona’s tortuous paths led to postponements and a short playing period, but it also meant that the performance was moved outdoors, which probably dressed “Koke bjørn” well. During the Hedda Days, a festival for the Norwegian theater industry, the performance had its new premiere indoors at the Norwegian Theater in Oslo. The review is based on this performance. Mikael Niemi’s rich and diverse novel is effectively staged by Leif Stinnerbom, who is behind both dramatization and direction. He lets the pietistic rector Læstadius be a kind of good-natured Poirot or Sherlock Holmes, the upper-class man with open senses. Niemi has let Læstadius, who is probably best known as the father of Læstadianism, be a warm and understanding fellow human being who sees the complexity of the people he meets. In this way he also becomes a good murder mystery solver. KNOWLEDGE: Lars Levi Læstadius is best known as the father of Laestadianism. In Mikael Niemi’s novel, he becomes a clever investigator who uses all his knowledge of botany and the human mind to solve murder mysteries. At the same time, he warned strongly against the effects of alcohol. Nils Henrik Buljo as Læstadius. The congregation consists of from left Egil Keskitalo, Iŋgor Ántte Áilu Gaup, Mary Sarre, Anitta Suikkari, Marte Fjellheim Sarre. Photo: ASLAK MIKAL MIENNA Driving yoik Although the story is short and concise in this theatrical version, Stinnerbom has given much space to the musical. Roger Ludvigsen’s sound compositions lie as a driving rhythmic basis and create momentum and tempo as the murders increase. The performance is a kind of musical theater where the yoik has a prominent place. And it works very well. Joik composer Iŋgor Ántte Áilu Gaup thus places the story safely in a Sami setting. SUCCESSFUL GRIP: The performance “Boiling bear” is characterized by a lot of dance and narrative choreography, and it works well, our critic believes. From left: Marte Fjellheim Sarre, Iŋgor Ántte Áilu Gaup, Emil Kárlsen Photo: ASLAK MIKAL MIENNA In the role of the Sami boy Jussi, Læstadius’ right hand man, Beaivváš has got the artist Emil Kárlsen. It is also an exciting choice, not least with regard to the recruitment of young actors to the Sami National Theater. With the yoik as a recurring theme and a scenography that has clear hints of bear claws, Beaivváš lifts the Sami boy Jussi out of the dark corner he is sitting in when the novel begins. In the play, he is Læstadius’ friend, almost equated as an investigation colleague. In the novel, Jussi is the narrator while Læstadius must be considered the main character. He is also in the theater performance, but Jussi is clearly present and undergoes the same straight-backed development as in Niemi’s novel. Although he is occasionally among the suspects as maids are found murdered, he stands faithfully by Provost Læstadius’ side. And the dean believes in him. PROTEIN: Jussi is looked down upon by many, but Læstadius has taken him under his wing and gives him the opportunity to manage in life. Emil Kárlsen (back to left) as Jussi, Nils Henrik Buljo as Læstadius. Photo: ASLAK MIKAL MIENNA Pleasant crime But an 80-minute performance is still too scarce to cover so much more than the plot itself. The one who turns out to be the culprit is introduced relatively late in the performance, and there is also no time for society to take on the horrors of these murders that take place. It will be like a pleasant moment with Detektimen: You get no omelette without crushing some eggs. The tension in the clarification is also not to be felt, exactly. The priest is meticulous, but also unusually accurate in all his predictions, and the caricatured sheriff does the exact opposite. All grades had served to a greater depth – but at the same time it is nice to see Nils Henrik Buljo as Læstadius. He portrays the rector with a warm, gentle and wise play. Although most actors are on stage throughout most of the performance, the choreography and dance contribute to seamless transitions, it is not fully experienced on stage. This performance had probably been an adventure to experience under the Finnmark sky. SIGNIFICANT DANCE: Marte Fjellheim Sarre as Jussis’ chosen Maria. His loving yoik to her and her dance tell the story of the relationship between the two well. Photo: ASLAK MIKAL MIENNA «Boiling bear» is a musical-like detective lesson with a Sami twist. A nice and fun show that had deserved longer playing time – but also to be a longer piece with more character development and ingenuity in the story. It is entertaining nonetheless – and it bodes well for the future of the Sami National Theater. Through recent performances, Beaivváš has proven to be a vital theater in constant development. news reviews Photo: Aslak Mikal Mienna Title: «Koke bjørn» Based on a book by: Mikael Niemi With: Nils Henrik Buljo, Emil Karlsen, Mary Sarre, Marte Fjellheim Sarre, Iŋgor Ántte Áilu Gaup, Paul Ottar Haga, Eila Ballovara Varsi, Jakob Hultcrantz, Egil Keskitalo, Anitta Suikkari Dramatization: Leif Stinnerbom Translation into Sami: Britt-Inga Vars Director: Leif Stinnerbom Costume designer: Inger Stinnerbom Set designer: Ole Thomas D. Nilut Composer: Roger Ludvigsen Joik composer: Iŋgor Gontau Kápio Meurling Lighting designer: Øystein Heitmann, Hålogaland Theater Date: Premiere in March 2021 (original plan February 2020) at Bygdetunet in Guovdageaidnu / Kautokeino. Then short tour in Sápmi. Indoor premiere at Det Norske Teatret 17 June 2022. No more performances planned. Hi! I am a freelancer and review theater, performing arts and dance for news. Also read my review of the fantastic “Sancthansnatten” at Ibsen Museum & Theater.
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“Boiling bear” by Beaivváš – Reviews and recommendations
