Brand

Brand has an unshakable belief that people can overcome anything, but do not exploit their vast potential. He wants to reestablish man's greatness on Earth, but to achieve greatness, man must have a belief in his own possibilities. When Brand returns to his place of birth, he realizes that he has to start his struggle where he comes from – closest to himself. His uncompromising beliefs are crushing, and soon he is forced to realize that his convictions must give in when ideas are confronted by reality.

Brand is one of Henrik Ibsen's longer epic dramas, written 150 years ago this year. In the adaptation of the German director, theatre manager and writer Armin Petras, the story and number of roles are stripped down. The language is modernized to make the interpersonal relations – and also the humour – more obvious.

In this production, director Runar Hodne suggests a setting in a nonconformist church in a southwestern Norwegian province, characterized by religion, nationalism and country music. God, country and the dream of America are central ideals – this is a place where idealism and fundamentalism can coexist and flourish.

This universe – the language and the intimacy of Malersalen – moves the story even closer to us: How far does our own commitment reach? How much are we willing to sacrifice for what we believe?

Actors: Henrik Rafaelsen, Kjersti Botn Sandal, Espen Klouman Høiner, Per Frisch, Tone Danielsen, Marianne Stormoen and Per Egil Aske.

Director: Runar Hodne. Concept/Light designer: Andreas Fuchs. Scenographer: Hazel Barstow (Akademi for scenekunst/UiØ). Costume designer: Cathrine Engehagen Bråthen. Make-up: Terje Rødsjø (Stockholms dramatiska högskola) with Greta Bremseth as supervisor. Dramatic advisor: Kristian Lykkeslet Strømskag.