When Lars Mytting published the non-fiction book “Hel ved”, he probably did not foresee that it would become a theatre. But that’s exactly what it has become – a kind of slow-theatre where a work team carries out the day’s project: felling a birch. DETAIL WORK: Felling a birch requires planning and precision – also in the theatre. Photo: Dag Jenssen / Det Norske Teatret And the man, he walked in a wood forest The large main stage at Det Norske Teatret is an open space in this performance. There is a lot of air here, a lot of sawdust, a round stack of wood, a birch. And: a work barracks from Moelven, some musical instruments – and musician Stein Torleif Bjella’s own tractor, transported from his homestead in Hallingdal. Photo: Dag Jenssen / Det Norske Teateret Bjella herself in the theater has become the leader of a work team that will work with wood cutting in “Heil ved”. Forestry work is clearly in his movements, Bjella has done this before. At home in Hallingdal, he has his own road site. He is probably used to felling more than one birch per day. But at Det Norske Teatret he also sings, he and the skodespelar work team are having a good time as it is. Logging life seems to be hard, free and full of meaning. MUSIC NEEDS: The birch has fallen, it’s time for a song. Signed Stein Torleif Bjella, of course. From left: Frode Winther, Stein Torleif Bjella, Pål Christian Eggen and Jon Bleiklie Devik. Photo: Dag Jenssen / Det Norske Teateret Saga prose Mytting’s book is about wood burning traditions. In the theatre, the book is worked out on stage, so to speak. There is hardly a line in the entire presentation, much of the work is done in silence. Director Erik Ulfsby has created a meditative space where you sit and watch others work. There is no drama or conflict in the play. This means that there is little to invest feelings in. You can rather sit back and watch the work being done. It makes “Heil ved” a peaceful experience. Stein Torleif Bjella has written background music for the play, in addition to several new songs about logging and wood life. The background music is riff-influenced, but could have had more drive in it considering that it is theater music. Photo: Dag Jenssen / Det Norske Teateret The songs of Bjella get their own place in the screening. The lyrics are the only lyrics performed by them on stage. It makes the audience listen extra. And Bjella has a lot on her mind. He sings out the working man in his songs, sings about the value of the slow, hard work that will keep us warm in the winter. He sings about a need to feel that one is needed, that work is important, that it has a place in a time where everything has to go so fast. I think Bjella hits a nerve with a lot of people in what he sings. FAMOUS SONGS: Stein Torleif Bjella knows what he’s singing about. He has a road site himself. Photo: Dag Jenssen / Det Norske Teateret Elevated work When there are no lines in the play, the artistic tools such as light and sound also become central. “Heil ved” turns an honest day’s work into art. The Moelven barracks, Bjella’s Massey Ferguson 133, travel cupboards and wood stumps are both necessary for the work and almost like objects in an art exhibition at the same time. When the chainsaw is running, the work is illuminated so you can really see the shavings as light. Details in the felling of wood are illuminated, given weight through artificial means. ART IN HOGST: Lighting and elevation. With artificial means, the everyday life of the woodcutter is brought to the fore. Here: Pål Christian Eggen in swing with a chainsaw. Photo: Dag Jenssen / Det Norske Teateret I think many connoisseurs will appreciate seeing the elevated work and, the art in it when it is made into theatre. The well-known work is lifted up to become something extra beautiful. Inside “Heil ved” is a good time in the theatre. At the same time, I miss a little more drive, both in the background music and in the foresight. The fine work is marred by scraps of text that are projected onto the back wall, they make the vision sometimes veer into cliché land. I would also like to see more than just work. The presentation could easily have let the audience inside these workers – not only in action, but also verbally. Because on the inside there is a lot of wisdom, I am quite sure of that. Photo: Dag Jenssen / The Norwegian Theater news reviews Photo: Dag Jenssen / The Norwegian Theater Title: “Heil ved” Director: Erik Ulfsby. Inspired by “Hel ved” by Lars Mytting. City: Det Norske Teateret Date: 12 November – 31 January 2024 Music: Stein Torleif Bjella Playwright: Ingrid Weme Nilsen Cast: Pål Christian Eggen Jon Bleiklie Devik Oddgeir Thune Frode Winther Stein Torleif Bjella
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“Heil ved” at the Norwegian Theater – Reviews and recommendations
