#Paul Åge Johannessen

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"Peer Gynt" (2019) - Erik Ulfsby

Films I've watched in 2023 (42/119)

A remarkable production in more ways than one.

Toralv Maurstad has for more than half a century, in Norway, been synonymous with the role of Peer Gynt. In this version he plays Peer as an old man looking back on his life, while seven other actors play Peer at various stages of life.

Ever present on stage, old Peer (Maurstad) and the Button Moulder (Svein Tindberg) observe as scenes from Peer's life are played out.

The costumes are interesting. While they're mostly white/grey, by the use of projected images and very carefully hit marks/positions on stage, several scenes start out with the characters seemingly in colourful, elaborate costumes.

Maurstad had suffered a stroke just a few years prior, so seeing him back on stage as Peer, at the age of 92, was extra special.

Thankfully it was recognised how important this production was as a piece of Norwegian theatre history, it was filmed and has been released on DVD by Naxos. I highly recommend getting and seeing it!

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I have this program packed away somewhere! I would've loved to have seen the actual production.

Photos from the Norwegian production of Ken Hill’s Phantom in 1990

Principal Christine was Solveig Kringlebotn (who would later star as Carlotta in the Norwegian premiere of the ALW version). The Phantom was Paul Åge Johannessen, and Raoul was Yngve Gåsøy (Det Norske Teatret, Oslo).

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Oslo March1988. Øystein Wiik as Jean Valjean and Paul Åge Johannessen as Javert.

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Paul Åge Johannessen and Solveig Kringlebotn in the 1990 production of Ken Hill’s Phantom at Det Norske Teatret, Oslo (photo: Mette Møller)

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So Espen Grjotheim is presented as “NORWAY’S FIRST PHANTOM EVER!!!!”

And here I’m like... no... *rolls eyes*

1990: Paul Åge Johannessen playing the Phantom in the Ken Hill version at Det Norske Teatret in Oslo

1992: Øystein Wiik doing the staged concert version of the ALW musical in Ås outside Oslo

2014-15: Stephen Brandt Hansen playing the Phantom in Tartu and Tallin in Estonia. Not a Norwegian production, but a Norwegian Phantom