THE GUITAR MAN
Jon Fosse wrote The Guitar Man in 1998, and Ferske Scener had the Norwegian premiere of the play in 2003.
A man in the middle of his life stops. He is a street singer, but just as much a human being in an existential pause. The guitar man comes to terms with his own life – and with defeat. But in acknowledging the loss, an opportunity also opens up to see the world anew.
The plot is simple: A man sits down, takes a breath, shares his songs and words. Yet the monologue contains his entire life – trivial repetitions, melancholy and unexpected humor. Today, Fosse is honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature (2023) – and The Guitar Man can be read as an early example of the distinctive feature that has made him world famous: the quiet poetry, the repetitions and the ability to say a lot with few words.
Norwegian premiere: November 5, 2003, Rådstua Theatre House, Tromsø
Screenplay: Jon Fosse Director: Makka Kleist With: Bernt Bjørn Set design and costumes: Martin Eilertsen Lighting design: Øystein Heitmann Technical responsibility: Knut Reidar Haldorsen Music: Sverre Kjelsberg, Inge Kolsvik, Bernt Bjørn and Makka Kleist
RECEPTION
Bernt Bjørn interprets Jon Fosse in a very personal, convincing and moving way. He makes the text his own, he doesn't play, he's the guitar man
- Glenn Fagervik, Utropia
Bernt Bjørn brings out both the humor and the melancholy in the play… so well that we are drawn into the guitar man’s life in a strange way. And that has made for good theater.
– Bjørn H. Larsen, Northern Lights
A rather painful story being told – and it's told well
– Helge Matland, Bladet Tromsø