In autumn 2018, a book bomb hit Norway: “Snøsøsteren” by Maja Lunde and Lisa Aisato (Kagge forlag), an Advent calendar book about coming to terms with having lost a sibling. The book became the talk of the town, and over 250,000 copies were printed – a lot for a children’s book. Of course, such a book success becomes theatre. But how to follow up such an event as “The Snow Sister” is? I can only say it at once: the presentation is actually better than the book. THE NORWEGIAN THEATER ON ICE: “Snøsøstera” offers many poetic and beautiful scenes, like this one, where Hedvig (Gina Bernhoft Gørvell) and Julian (Vetle Bergan) are skating together. Photo: Erik Berg / Det Norske Teatret The magic in the machinery Historia is about 10-year-old Julian, whose birthday is on Christmas Eve. He loves Christmas (of course), but earlier in the same year his sister died, and the family is in mourning. So there won’t be anything special for Christmas, everyday life and life seem grey. He also fails to be friends with his friend John. But then he meets the red-haired whirlwind Hedvig, and together with her he finds his way back to Christmas joy. There is only one catch to the whole thing: Hedvig doesn’t actually exist. In “Snøsøsteren”, magic, legend and Christmas are mixed together in a story that has touched many, many readers. At the same time, the book hits all the Christmas buttons, it’s full Christmas and a full emotional package in both text and illustrations. But Maja Lunde has been clever when she has dramatized her own story for the theatre. As a screenwriter, she knows the possibilities that lie in all the other means of production the theater has: light, sound, space, fog, music, voice, body. The theater machinery is trustworthy, and this is where the magic lies. NICE INTERACTION: Julian (Vetle Bergan) loves Christmas, but after his older sister died, things are no longer the same. But Hedvig (Gina Bernhoft Gørvell) changes that. Bergan and Gørvell have a nice interplay in the presentation at Det Norske Teatret. AISATOS’ SIGNATURE: The scenography is an important storyteller in “Snøsøstera”, says news’s reporter. The flats on the back wall preserve Lisa Aisato’s signature from the book “Snøsøsteren”. Large, poetic rooms For example, the scenography is a very important storyteller here. For example, in how set designer Åsmund Færavaag does not let Hedvig’s house hang together in the walls, how he easily turns it from Christmas magic to ghostly gray – and how he uses the difference between Hedvig’s wonderful Christmas atmosphere and the gray complexion of Julian’s folk kitchen. The scenography says a lot in this story. The light mixes elegantly between cozy and threatening, and the fog is used so that you can feel Aisato’s line in the clear stage pictures. Director Alan Lucien Øyen creates large, poetic spaces when he lets the media tell so much of the story. REAL OR NOT: Set designer Åsmund Færavaag creates large, magical Christmas rooms in “Snøsøstera”, and at the same time lets it tremble a little underneath – because the walls in Villa Kvisten (where Hedvig lives) don’t quite hang together. Could it be real then? To the right: Vetle Bergan as Julian and Gina Bernhoft Gørvell as Hedvig. Photo: Erik Berg / Det Norske Teatret This means that much of the book can be cut away, and you are left with an hour and a half long theater presentation that nevertheless takes care of history. It also means that Julian (Vetle Bergan) does not have to tell so much, and thus friendship, sorrow and joy take a large place in the vision. Especially the friendship with John (Andreas Koschinski Kvisgaard) is painfully difficult. The scarce exchanges between the two, how in clumsy facts and words they do not reach each other – it tears a child’s soul to see how Julian handles it. It is also absolutely decisive that Bergan thinks that the bad feelings. When he finally unleashes his despair and desire for change, it is at the right time. PAINFUL: It hurts when Julian (Vetle Bergan) can’t be friends with John (Anders Koschinski Kvisgaard). Photo: Erik Berg / Det Norske Teatret Wild and wild That the living and colorful Hedvig does not actually exist is gradually revealed. Gina Bernhoft Gørvell plays her as you know her from the book, wild and impetuous, and Gørvell has good control over the important details. The scenes where she skates are so well done, among other things they are beautifully lit. Henrik Skram’s music suits the piece well. And Odd Nordstoga’s specially written song “Når alle andre sansar kan få kvile” also slipped nicely into the whole story. TIDDELI BOM: Snow is fun and games. Here in the skiff of a snow sister. CHRISTMAS EVENING IN THE LIVING ROOM: Hedvig gets the Christmas spirit back at Julian’s when she invites him to an old-fashioned Christmas in Villa Kvisten. In the picture: Vetle Bergan and Gina Bernhoft Gørvell. MAIN ROLE: Framfuse and wild Hedvig are well played by Gina Bernhoft Gørvell. STRONG SCENE: The interaction between Julian (Vetle Bergen) and Hedvig (Gina Bernhoft Gørvell) is outstanding in the show. That is why it becomes strong when he has to let her go towards the end. The show contains some scary scenes and is best suited for school-aged children. Not only is the pain in the friendship between Julian and John something you really know, the play is about losing a sibling, about grief, mental illness and how you deal with the death of someone close to you. And that without cultivating grief, without being too afraid and without it being too difficult. “Snøsøstera” is a play suitable for Christmas, but actually just as much for Halloween or All Saints’ Day, the time when one remembers the dead. PARTS OF THE ENSEMBLE: From left Vetle Bergan, Ellen Birgitte Winther, Stine Elverhøi Johnsen and Kyrre Hellum. Photo: Erik Berg / Det Norske Teatret A new classic When Julian puts Hedvig in danger, it is both magical, mysterious, incomprehensible and scary. Maybe the children need a talk about it afterwards. But that is the point of Maja Lunde’s book, to put into words the difficulty of losing and the preciousness of remembering. I think Det Norske Teatret has a Christmas classic on the way, potentially bigger than “Journey to the Christmas Star”. “Snøsøstera” is truly beautiful and meaningful theatre. news reviews Illustration: Lisa Aisato Title: “Snøsøstera” By: Maja Lunde and Lisa Aisato Dramatization: Maja Lunde Choir: Hovudscenen, Det Norske Teatret. The presentation is made in collaboration with Kilden theater and concert hall. When: 22 October–31 December 2022 With: Gina Bernhoft Gørvell, Vetle Bergan, Per Schaanning, Andreas Koschinski Kvisgaard, Stine Elverhøi Johnsen, Ellen Birgitte Winther, Silje Lundblad, Kyrre Hellum, Vilde Sundfør Johannessen and Helene Bjerke Svindal Director: Alan Lucien Øyen Composer and music supervisor: Henrik Skram . The performance also uses three songs with lyrics and melody by Odd Nordstoga. The music has been recorded by the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra (conductor: Per Kristian Skalstad, Torodd Wigum). Set designer: Åsmund Færavaag Costume and mask designer: Stine Sjøholt Video designer: Martin Flack Lighting designer: Torkel Skjærven Sound designer: Gunnar Innvær Roller skating instructor: Louisa Warwin Playwright: Anders Hasmo Assistant director: Andrew Wale
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“Snøsøstera” at the Norwegian Theater – Reviews and recommendations
