Ashes to ashes
When Harold Pinter received the Nobel Prize in Literature in the fall of 2005, Ferske Scener had long since obtained the rights to stage Ashes to Ashes for the first time in Norway. The Nobel Prize gave new relevance to his texts about power, violence and human guilt, and to the artist's responsibility to think for himself.
Ashes to Ashes is a simple text that asks uncomfortably complex questions. The audience meets Rebekka and Devlin – a seemingly happy couple – but beneath the surface something dark is growing. As Rebekka begins to reveal what she is carrying, the line between reality and fantasy, between guilt and innocence, dissolves.
Fresh Scene's version created a visual and musical space where the eerie emerged from behind the everyday – with newly written music, physical games and video installations.
The performance premiered simultaneously in Tromsø and at the National Theatre – a rare event in Norwegian theatre.
Premiere January 28, 2006, Northern Lights Festival, Tromsø
Guest performance: February 10 – Winter Light Festival, Nordland Teater, National Theatre: February 14–15, 2006
Script: Harold Pinter Translation: Ensemblet (rights held by Nordiska Strakosch Teaterforlaget) Actors: Hege Aga Edelsteen and Bernt Bjørn Director: Kristin Bjørn Design: Geir Tore Holm Composition: Erik Stifjell Lighting design: Nicolas Horne Choreography: Marianne Nordnes VIDEO: Geir Tore Holm and Nicolas Horne Makeup: Thea Kristensen Drummers: Sigrun Dahle, Christine Hanssen, Christina Andreassen, Ann Kathrine Brox Photo: Nicolas Horne Producer: Eirik Bræin Gikling Clothing: MAS Tromsø Furniture: LK Hjelle and Gautes interior Supported by: Norwegian Cultural Fund, Sound and Image Fund, Northern Norwegian Cultural Council and Tromsø commune
RECEPTION
The performance received rave reviews for its low-key but powerful form.
“Elegance and low-key make for hard-hitting Pinter.”
– Erling Steenstrup, NRK
“Ferske Scenes’ production of Pinter’s drama strikes the audience as an unpleasant reminder of conduct in private life,
atrocities in history and the present and (the lack of) engagement in public affairs.”
– Ruben Moi, Northern Lights
The performance was also featured in Scenekunst.no , Rana Blad and Tromsø newspapers, which highlighted the interaction between music, light and text as distinctive and courageous.