Gynt (DK)

If a man stands alone on stage saying funny things, it’s called stand-up. If a man pulls rabbits out of a top hat, ut’s called magic. If a man speaks rhythmically over music, it’s called rap. But what do you call it when rap, magic, stand-up, and acting are mixed in with an old play? We haven’t had a word for it yet – because it hasn’t existed yet. But it does now.

Gynt is a story about lies. About a young man who wants to be famous. He wants it all: women, money, success. But the story is told in a unique way: on stage are stand-up comedians Jonatan Spang and Carsten Bang, magician Rune Klan, and rappers Geolo G and Blæs Bukki. Gynt is their story. They have crafted it themselves. And they have assembled it from the things they know better than anything else.

The Betty Nansen Theatre in Copenhagen hasn’t seen such box office action for years as it did after Gynt premiered in December 2005. Ever since, the success has rolled on: added shows, performing at the inauguration of the Year of Ibsen at Oslo City Hall – as well as a hugely successful CD of the music from the show. An Ibsen experience out of the ordinary, in other words.

Gynt premiered in Copenhagen December 2005.

By Carsten Bang, Rune Klan, Jonatan Spang, Blæs Bukki, Geolo G. Loosely based on Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen. Developed in collaboration with Mogens Pedersen og Kitte Wagner.

Director: Mogens Pedersen. Scenographer: Mia Stensgaard.