Adresseavisen calls the play "a little happy pill of a performance"
Adresseavisen described Nerbyen – a hitch in history as “a little happy pill of a performance.” With music, humor and storytelling, Trondheim's Jewish life was brought to life in the midst of today's cityscape.
photo and text: Martin Farstad Borg
Brilliant reception
This year's major theater initiative during the Jewish Cultural Festival, the traveling theater Nerbyen – a hitch in history, has been brilliantly received. Adresseavisen calls the play "a little happy pill of a performance" and highlights how the joy of life in the play stands in sharp contrast to the dark historical experiences that form the backdrop.
History in the middle of the cityscape
The performance took the audience into the streets between Olav Tryggvasons gate, Søndre gate, Fjordgata and Kjøpmannsgata – the area that from the 1870s until World War II was known as Trondheim's Jewish quarter.
"Most of the material here is familiar, but it is brought to life in a wonderful way when everything unfolds before our eyes and we sense the specific historical personalities," wrote Adresseavisen.
Humor and seriousness
With both humor and seriousness, it depicted how Jewish families settled in Trondheim, found their place in the local community, and at the same time brought new traditions with them. The performance also reminded us of how quickly a thriving community can be lost.
Life force on stage
The review particularly highlighted how the play was able to combine historical seriousness with playful energy:
"The Jewish community is taken seriously, which means it is also made fun of. Laughter is loose among the audience as the play's narrator Bendik Sjømæling Nordgaard conveys the story, and he, together with the three other obvious actors, bring small and large conflicts to life."
At times, the performance was described as "overwhelming", with strong musical elements and catchy songs that highlighted the names of the Jewish families that characterized urban life during this period.
Important and enjoyable
Adresseavisen concluded:
"Important and enjoyable at the same time, it doesn't get any better."
With direction by Øyvind Brandtzæg, set design and costumes by Jenny Hilmo Teig, and newly written music by Øyvind Jo Heimdal Eik, Nerbyen – a trip to history was a performance that provided both knowledge and experience – and which brought Trondheim's history alive in the midst of today's cityscape.
Read similar stories
Heading 5
Heading 5