Minimalist Tragicomedy

A robust theatre form without unnecessary words, enriched by inspiration from mime, physical theatre and silent film, is characteristic of Teatret’s celebrated style. One distinctive feature is the humorous exchange between the comic and tragic elements of the stories, so the performances evoke both rollicking laughter and tears in the audience.

The style is minimalist, stylized theatre in which simple but powerful visual tools are carefully selected in collaboration with the theatre’s regular scenographer Gitte Baastrup.

The goal is to create theatre experiences with existential content, while exploring a shared wordless theatre language. A form of universal communication that creates poetic encounters regardless of age or nationality.  

The pieces are produced for children, young people and adults – though with increasing emphasis on the adult target group. It is the declared objective to build bridges between adult and children’s theatre. 

Many of Teatret’s performances have been inimitable wordless solo performances that have toured widely in Denmark and abroad.  However, in recent years, Teatret has integrated spoken language and live music into the performances with many cast members.

Current Productions

August
(2006)
In this performance “Teatret” ventures to go the whole hog and send four taciturn August-clowns on to the dark empty stage with only one vulnerable purpose: to be present.
The performance is a series of simple scenic images for eyes and ears – created with the purpose to give space and place for to the free personal associations of the spectator.
A quartet. A lump. One figure in four parts. One for all and all for one… Separately and together they constitute a conglomerate of recognisable human feelings and characteristics.

Ditto
(2002)
”The house that receives no stranger receives no angel.”  Inspired by this African saying, Teatret has created a performance about the risks and opportunities that reside in every encounter. Two silent, clown figures meet at the boundary of a dark, empty space.  One is outside, one within.  A tragicomic commentary on xenophobia.
Age group: 14 years old and up
Max. audience number: 150

…Ifølge Markus / …According to Mark
(2000)
A solo performance that retells the last half of the story of the man, Jesus. From his baptism in the desert of Judea until a few years later, when he disappears from his grave at Golgotha.   The Gospel of Mark is transformed into an accessible account – amazing, dramatic and, at times, very funny.
Age group: 13 years old and up
Language versions: Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.
Max. audience number: 150

Review Extracts

”Precision, care, character development, an economy of means, a wealth of symbolic conclusions.  These two have been searching for something and found it:  wordless meaning.”
Politiken (DK), Ditto

“It is neither a Christian entertainment nor an advanced education course for pastors – just excellent theatre.”
Jyllands-Posten (DK), ...Ifølge Markus

International Tours

2007
Nov.: Nordwind Festival, Berlin, Germany

2006
Red Brick Theatre, Youkohama, Japan

2005
Tweetakt International Art Festival, Antwerpen, Belgium
Kijimuna-festa, Okinawa, Japan

2004
SuperDanish, Toronto, Canada
8. International Child and Youth Theatre Festival, Bursa (TR)
4. International Theater Festival, Zagreb, Croatia