Visually Sophisticated and Delightful Retelling

Over the years, the theatre has reaped great international recognition for its minimalist form, based on stories that insist on being told.  Deep within all the performances is a unique tragicomic nerve with humour undergirding the story.  By striving for the sophisticated and the complex in what is simple, the theatre creates an unpredictable space for experience with very few tools.

The performances are based on a common appeal to the human capacity for abstraction.  With strong visual elements and an intense textual interpretation, the performances stimulate the audience’s own imagination.

The performances are an artistic experience and a challenge to adults and children alike.  The theatre does not coddle its audience of children with mitigating circumstances.  A story is allowed to be as cruel, dangerous or endlessly sad as the story needs to provide the strongest emotional experience.

There are performances for both adults and children in the repertoire.

Current Productions

Du må være en engel, Hans Christian / Hans Christian, You Must Be An Angel
(2005)
With a sumptuous, vital performance installation of life, sound and pictures, this production celebrates Hans Christian Andersen’s 200th birthday. Wonderfully free of clichés, the performance blends animation, installation and performance.
Language versions: Danish and English
Age group: 7 years old and up
Max. audience number: 50

Poul sine høns / Run Chicken Run
(2003)
This production is a lively and macabre journey into a classic songbook for children, De små synger [Songs for the Small]. Shiver, sob and snicker with the songs’ many stories, as Poul travels through the harsh realities and beautiful dreams of life. 
Language versions: Danish, English and German
Age group: 6 years old and up
Max. audience number: 100

Den lille pige med svovlstikkerne / The Little Match Girl
(2003)
A powerful performance of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a little girl who freezes to death in the light of her last matchstick.  At once, a sorrowful story and a message of joy, filled with faith, hope and love.
Language versions: Danish, English and presumably French
Age group: 7 years old and up
Max. audience number: 100

En lille sonate / A Sonatina / Eine Kleine Sonate
(2000)
The fairy tale of Red Riding Hood, told by a lazy hen, a new-laid egg, a potato with a cold, and a filthy potato masher. A splatter comedy about being very small and being forced to do more than you can. 
Language versions: Danish, English and German
Age group: 6 years old and up
Max. audience number: 100

Hans og Grete / Hansel and Gretel
(1998)
The grim fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, whose parents lead them away to die in order to survive themselves.  Fortunately, the children survive their encounter with a wicked witch – and a wondrous gingerbread house.
Language versions: Danish and English
Age group: 7 years old and up.
Max. audience number: 100

The theatre’s other touring productions may be seen at www.gruppe38.dk

Review Extracts

”This haunting tale about a child’s tragic struggle with poverty resonates just as powerfully in our contemporary world. It would be a shame to miss such a visually sophisticated, insightful and delightful retelling. No matter your age”
La Gazette (Montreal/CA), The Little Matchstick Girl

”The penetrating gaze of Bodil Alling grips the audience form the outset, compelling them to listen. Her version of the tale is rich with unexpected detail and, in true European style, does not flinch form the nasty bits.”
The Herald (Edinburgh/UK), Hansel and Gretel

International Tours

2007
Jan/Feb: Unicorn Theatre for Children (London/GB)
Mar.: Sydney Opera House (Sydney/AUS)
Mar./Apr.: Ten Days on the Island (Tasmania/AUS)
May: New Victory Theater (New York/USA)
June: 7. Internationales Figurentheaterfestival Blickwechsel (Magdeburg/DE)
Oct./Nov.: Theatre Daniel Féry (Nanterre/FR)
                Maison des Arts (Créteil/FR)
                Le Velo Theatre (Apt/Marseilles / FR)

2006
Theaterfestival Blichfelder (Zürich/CH)
Starke Stücke – The International Children and Youth Theatre Festival Rhein-Main 2006 (Dreieich/DE)
Schöne Aussicht – 5. Internationales Kinder- und Jugendtheatertreffen (Stuttgart/DE)
Nationelle Scenkonstbinnalen för barn och unge (Lund / SE)
Imaginate – Children’s International Theatre Festival (Edinburgh/GB)
Lighthouse (Poole/GB)
The Egg (Bath/GB)
Bard Summerscape (Annandale-on-Hudson/USA)

2005
Berliner Märchentage (Berlin/DE)
Assitej’s 15th World Congress and Festival, Montreal, Ottawa Children's Festival, Ontario, and Milk International, Toronto (CA)
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, and Draiocht, (Dublin/EI)