Absence

Absence (2015) was a theatre production by Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre), the Norwegian premiere of the play by Peter M. Floyd. The production was performed in the theatre's venue Trikkestallen på Torshov.

Birgitte Victoria Svendsen directed it. This was her debut as a theatre director.

Marit Østbye interpreted the leading role of Helen. She was nominated for The Hedda Award 2016 in the best leading actress category for the role.

Information

(Objekt ID 52235)
Object type Production
Premiere September 24, 2015
Produced by Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre)
Based on Absence by Peter M. Floyd
Audience Adults
Language Norwegian
Keywords Drama, Theatre
Running period September 24, 2015  
More

SOURCE:

Einar Dahl's private archive, donated by Einar Dahl, 23.12.2015.

Contributors (17)
Name Role
Peter M. Floyd – Playwright
Cecilie Enersen – Translation
Birgitte Victoria Svendsen – Direction
Siri Løkholm Ramberg – Dramaturge
Milja Salovaara – Stage design
Milja Salovaara – Costume design
Steffen Hofseth – Sound
Anders Busch – Lighting design
Helle Haugen – Actor (Barb)
Johannes Joner – Actor (Dr. Bright)
Morten Røhrt – Actor (David)
Trine Wenberg Svensen – Actor (Dr. Delane / Fru Moss)
Ine Marie Wilmann – Actor (Samantha)
Marit Østbye – Actor (Helen)
Julie Clark – Makeup
Tina Espejord – Stage manager
Birgitta Bjørnstad – Prompter
Performance dates
September 24, 2015Oslo Nye Trikkestallen, Oslo Nye Teater (Oslo New Theatre) National premiere, Norway
Press coverage

Lillian Bikset, Fornuft og følelse (literally: Sense and sensibility), Dagbladet September 24 2015:

"Helen has dementia. She denies it at first, but it soon becomes too obvious to be denied. Or, soon? The understanding of time is in flux, in Absence, for the spectator as well as the main character. But director Birgitte Victoria Svendsen, her lighting designer (Anders Busch) and her actors aid the audience more than playwright Peter M. Floyd aids Helen. In Trikkestallen hops in time are marked through small changes in lighting and positioning of people. (...) Marit Østbye demonstrates how she is changed by the illness, at one and the same time older and rejuvenated. Her use of body is thorough and detailed. No body part is forgotten. There are moments in Absence that in a lesser production, with weaker acting, could have seemed artificially sentimental. Here they seem emotionally warm and wise, with genuine insight and empathy."