A Visual Artist in the Theatre

Catherine Poher (born 1953). Architect. Began in the world of visual theatre with Billedstofteatret (today, Hotel Pro Forma) in 1977. Freelance director, scenographer, dramatist, and visual artist (painter and graphic artist). Has worked closely with Gruppe 38 and Rio Rose since 1985.

Artist Profile
”We do not put together performances we think are good for children,” says Catherine Poher, who has been trying to breach the boundaries between adult and children’s theatre for 30 years.  She offers the same wonder, joy and sorrow to all ages.  Without simplifying what is complicated.

Innovation and extra dimensions are added to the performances, which are a visionary open space that creates wonder at life’s paradoxes. A dramaturgy which is always subtle, never sentimental, and based on visual associations.

She has received major awards – including the Horsens Children’s Theatre Festival Prize in 2001 – and nominations for her anti-theatrical performances that tour the whole world.  Received the prestigious Danish Reumert Award for The Little Match Girl and Hans Christian, You Must Be An Angel (see Gruppe 38) and for Happy End, Haiku and Se mig (see Rio Rose) for best children’s theatre performances in 2000. In 2005, Haiku was nominated for the Japanese Uchimura Prize.

Current Productions

”@” – snabela
(2006)
Under the leadership of Alain Gautré, clowns from all over Europe meet to find the clown for the information age of the new century. 
Production: Patrasket (www.patrasket.dk)

Du må være en engel, Hans Christian / You Must Be an Angel, Hans Christian
(2005)
The audience walks around a well-spread table  - the birthday of writer Hans Christian Andersen is to be celebrated.  Cutlery, plates and glasses give life to well-known fairytale figures in a dramatic way, while two servants keep a lid on things.  A festive theatrical installation.
Production: Gruppe38 (www.gruppe38.dk)
Language versions: French, English, Danish

Den lille pige med svovlstikkerne / The Little Matchstick Girl
(2003)
Poetic and direct, always subtle, never sentimental. Each time, we become wiser about ourselves and the inner nature and secret of the fairy tale and theatre. Received the prestigious Reumert Award.

Haiku
(1998)
A staged delicacy and challenging associative experience for children and adults, demonstrating in a unique way how sophisticated – in the best meaning of the word – Danish children’s theatre has become. 
Production: Teater Rio Rose (www.riorose.dk)

Review Extracts

”In an immense beautiful way, concrete artistic solutions are coupled with what theatre has to say.  With incredibly simple means, an almost bare stage is transformed into a physically concrete space and an abundance of psychological insight.”
Børneteateravisen (DK), Den lille pige med svovlstikkerne

“All sorts of objects and puppet stunts from installation and performance art – just as boundary-pushingly un-Danish as Andersen’s fairy tale really are – interpreted anew by pure souls.”
Børneteateravisen (DK), Du må være en engel, Hans Christian

”Each image is so well established, so poetic – so full of joie de vivre that you want to take them home, freeze them in the ice tray, and thaw them out, one at a time, on a sad day.  Just to have something beautiful to look forward to.”
Berlingske Tidende (DK), Haiku