Kulturkompasset | critics of culture events

PINOCCHIO at The Nationaltheatre in Oslo


PINOCCHIO

(adapted from Carlo Collodi ),  premiered  October 3. 2009, NATIONALTHEATRET, OSLO. Directed by Hanne Tömta, scenography Olav Myrtvedt. Gepetto: Kim Haugen, Pinocchio: Bernhard Arnö.

 VIVACIOUS SHOW FOR PLAYSTATION GENERATION – FEW POETIC MOMENTS 

Kim Haugen med Pinocchio 
. Foto: Erik Aavatsmark
Kim Haugen med Pinocchio. Foto: Erik Aavatsmark

Traditionally, the countrys  only  repertory theatret, the National Theatre, gives a family show every fall, running into the Christmas season.  This year, the theatre’s new artistic director, Hanne Tömta, has avoided well known plays and instead chosen the famous Italian history of Pinocchio, the wooden doll that comes alive.

 DOUBLE TALE

The director brings faithfully out the double tale of a man longing for a son, and a boy striving to be a human being. It is a growing-up story child naivety and a world full of temptations. My reference is the Disney version of this touching but moral story
. I remember a Geppetto of smile, but also sorrow and longing. It might be me and my age, but in Hanne Tömtas version there seems to be short of time for emotional reactions both on stage and for the public. Kim Haugen is a very fine actor, and yet his Geppetto never touched me. 

 

Bernhard Arnös Pinocchio is more of a rascal than a boy to be loved, and I suppose that is as it should be.

Pinocchio: Bernhard Arnö. Foto Erik Aavatsmark

Pinocchio: Bernhard Arnö. Foto Erik Aavatsmark

 It is only at the very end that he learns empathy and therefore becomes a human being. That last scene could very well have dwelled on beyond the thirty seconds we got.

 THE GRASSHOPPER, THE FOX AND THE CAT

John Brungot plays the grasshopper, named Pinocchios conscience by the fairy that gives him life. Brungots figure is without mildness, he appears more like a barking granddad. Christian Skolmen is a good master of his four roles, best as a mean and sly fox cheating Pinocchio for his money.  Marian Saastad Ottesen loves the stage, and it loves her. But I wish she had given more debt and importance to her fairy. (Too supernatural to be believed in?) Her Cat, on the other side, is elegant and laughingly mocking Pinocchio for expecting anything but deceit from her. 

Marian Saastad Ottesen and John Brungot, Foto: Erik Aavatsmark

Marian Saastad Ottesen and John Brungot, Foto: Erik Aavatsmark

 

TO BE A HUMAN BEING

 

The moral tale of what are the characteristics of a human being is a rather hot topic in this world of twisted truths, commercial power and narcissism and greed. Can we still make the children believe that honesty and consideration for your kin will get you the good life? And crown them as real human beings? 

This not so poetic, not so warm Pinocchio is Hanne Tömtas  first directorial work at the Nationaltheatret,  where she is the artistic leader since January 2009.

Pinocchio. Foto: Erik Aavatsmark

Pinocchio. Foto: Erik Aavatsmark

 

 By Lisa Strindberg 

 

 

Tagged as: ,