THERE
The performance
Four dissidents from the former Soviet Union are stranded in the interzonal area between East and West. In the far from harmonious atmosphere the essential question remains – should they continue towards the unknown or should they go back to what they know?
THERE is by far the most requested performance the company has ever made. It was also the turning point where the company started to focus more on actors than on dancers, as well as initiating the company’s nonsensical language trademark. After more than 100 shows around the world, the performance proved that the theme was relevant to all regions and cultures. The issue of existential doubt is and always will be universal.
20 years after its premiere, the company sets out on yet another quest to pinpoint human insecurity, with both the original cast and a new cast of younger actors. The relaunch also reflects the strength of the company – its performances never go out of style. Perhaps because they are never trendy in the first place.
Duration: 60 min without interval
Language: Nonsensical “Sovietic”
Premiere: Vilnuis, Lithuania, April 2001
Revival: Haugesund, Norway, September 2014
Awards: Norwegian HEDDA prize for best performance, 2002
Media
THERE is Eastern Europe. There presents the Russia you cannot understand with logic.
Republica, Latvia
You have caught the quintessence of the Soviet Union.
Spectator from Belarus
THERE is something as rare as a deeply original, entertaining, and touching piece.
Jyllands-Posten, Denmark
Strømgren elevates everyday behavior into the realms of the bizarre and the extreme.
Village Voice, USA
Previously touring
Austria, Belarus, Cuba, Denmark, England, Estonia, Faroe Islands, France, Germany, Iran, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United StatesCredits
Choreography: Jo Strømgren
Original cast: Espen Reboli Bjerke, Thorbjørn Harr, Jan Ivar Lund, Kyrre Texnæs.
Revival cast: Jørn-Bjørn Fuller-Gee/Severin Romer Iversen, Jan Ivar Lund, Mikkel Are Olsenlund, Ivar Sverrisson
Set design, costumes: Jo Strømgren
Sound design: Lars Årdal
Lighting design: Stephen Rolfe
Music: Red Army Choir, Alexander Vertinski, Viktor Klimenko, Haukur Morthens, a.o.
Production: Jo Strømgren Kompani
Co-production: Haugesund Teater (N), BIT Teatergarasjen (N), Projekttheater Dresden (D), Lithuanian Dance Information Centre
Collaboration: The Norwegian National Theater, Oslo Nye Teater (N), The National Academy of Dramatic Arts (N)
Support: Arts Council Norway, Bergen City Council, Fund for performing artists.