A Norwegian theatre group will perform a play based on Johan Bojer's novel "The Emigrants" at different locations in Minnesota and North Dakota in August. After the play experienced success in Norway, a projcet group is now working on bringing the play to an American audience for a handful of special performances.
3/18/2008 :: "The Emigrants" was first performed in July 2005 in Rissa and Lensvik, outside Trondheim, Norway. In 2006, it was performed again at the same venues. In view of its resounding success with audiences and press alike, the idea of brining the stage version of "The Emigrants" to America took hold, and they will be coming to the Midwest in August 2008. Most of the people on that will be on stage are amateur actors from Lensvik and Rissa. The project group include among others the former Norwegian Secretary of Agriculture Gunhild Øyangen, and the Mayors of Rissa and Agdenes municipalties; Per Kristian Skjærvik and Oddvar Indergård.
The play is based on Johan Bojer's novel "Vor Egen Stamme", which is one of his most famous books together with "Folk ved sjøen" ( "People by the Sea") and "Den siste viking" ("The Last Viking"). Johan Bojer's books are familiar to readers all over the world. Although he lived and wrote in Norway for the most part, his books reached a wide and international audience. Bojer spent some time living in America while doing research for "The Emigrants". His primary consern was the experience of ordinary Norwegians leaving their motherland to settle down in the New World.
The staged version of "The Emigrants" is a modern theatrical play. Through the use of subtle effects and a fine balance between music, song and speech, the audience is drawn into the unfolding drama of the adventurous Norwegians in their new homeland.
More information on final tour dates will be posted later. If you have any questions please contact Gunhild Øyangen at goyangen@online.no