Julemiddag* (Christmas Dinner)

Julemiddag* (Christmas Dinner) (2014) was a theatre production by The National Theatre, based on a text by Tyra Tønnessen. Julemiddag is inspired by the play The Long Christmas Dinner by Thornton Wilder. The production was originally performed in the theatre's venue Amfiscenen. At the 2020 revival, it was performed at the theatre's main stage.

Tyra Tønnessen directed it.

Julemiddag was revived in 2015, with two new actors in the ensemble, in 2017, with one new actor, and in 2018. It was also revived in 2020, but the run was cut short and most of the planned performances cancelled, due to Coronavirus prevention measures. From November 10, 2020, it was prohibited to arrange cultural events in the municipality of Oslo.

*Not yet translated into the English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.

Information

(Objekt ID 42985)
Object type Production
Premiere Navember 14, 2014
Produced by The National Theatre
Based on The Long Christmas by Thornton Wilder
Audience Adults
Language Norwegian
Keywords Theatre, Drama, Corona-production
Running period Navember 15, 2014  
Duration Approximately 1 hour, 40 minutes
Website Nationaltheatret
More

At the website of The National Theatre the following, among other things, is written about Julemiddag* (Christmas Dinner):

"Director Tyra Tønnessen has let herself be inspired by Thornton Wilder's play The Long Christmas Dinner from 1931, but instead of following an American family, we follow a Norwegian family through 100 years. The script is based on actual Christmas stories.

Julemiddag starts in 1915. We are in Stavanger, and the city is managing fine whereas the continent is thrown into a war. The reason is simple: The city sells canned goods, and boxed foods are sought for during times of war. One man's pain is another man's gain.

The war is not the only factor characterising the first Christmas: Two years prior Norwegian women have gained the right to vote, and electricity has come to Stavanger. Margrethe Munthe has introduced more playful methods in child rearing. But first and foremost the family is characterised by the interfamilial relationships. We follow them through World War II, the arrival of social democracy and the age of oil.

Christmas is a time for tradition. Still the world keeps moving. We move with it. During one hundred years most becomes different from what it was. The Stavanger family becomes Norwegian history in miniature.

The script is based on actual Christmas stories from the actors and from Tyra Tønnessen's students at Oslo National Academy of the Arts."

SOURCES:

Import from the Scenekunst.no list of openings 26.09.2014

The National Theatre, www.nationaltheatret.no, 10.10.2014, http://www.nationaltheatret.no/Julemiddag.b7C_wRfI1I.ips

Einar Dahl's private archive, donated by Einar Dahl, 31.12.2014

*Not yet translated into the English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.

Performance dates
Navember 10, 2023Hovedscenen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre New opening
Navember 3, 2020 19:30 – Hovedscenen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre New opening
Navember 15, 2018 19:30 – Amfiscenen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre New opening
October 26, 2017 19:30 – Amfiscenen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre New opening
Navember 25, 2015Amfiscenen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre New opening
Navember 14, 2014 18:00 – Amfiscenen, Nationaltheatret, The National Theatre Worldwide premiere