Reisen til Julestjernen

Reisen til Julestjernen (Journey to the Christmas Star)^[1] is a Norwegian play by Sverre Brandt from 1924. It was performed for the first time on Saint Stephen's Day (December 26), 1924.^[1][2]

Scene from the National Theatre's performance of Sverre Brandt's Christmas classic Reisen til julestjernen in 1957. The lead role was played by Synnøve Strigen, a Norwegian actress known from films such as Bedre enn sitt rykte and Operasjon Løvsprett.

The play holds the record for the most performances at the National Theatre in Oslo; its 500th performance took place in January 1962. Brandt used the well-known Christmas carol "Silent Night" as a theme for the play. Johan Halvorsen composed the music for the play.^[3]

The play has also been performed at many other venues in Norway and abroad.

Film adaptations

Brandt's play was adapted as the film Reisen til julestjernen in 1976.^[4] The film was directed by Ola Solum and starred Hanne Krogh, Knut Risan, and Bente Børsum.^[4] Another film version was made in 2012, directed by Nils Gaup and starring Vilde Marie Zeiner, Agnes Kittelsen, and Anders Baasmo Christiansen.^[5] The film versions of the play have been broadcast by NRK on Christmas Eve since the 1990s.

References

1. Crinion Bjaaland, Patricia; Brady, M. Michael; Drabble, Belinda (1999). Living in Norway: Patricia Crinion Bjaaland's Classic Guide for New Residents. Oslo: Norway Palamedes Press. p. 147.
2. Egeland, Jorunn (December 24, 2015). "23 ting du kanskje ikke visste om Reisen til Julestjernen". Side2. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
3. Anker, Peter; Bækkelund, Kjell Martin; Straume, Eilif (1985). Norske klassikere: portretter av store norske kunstnere innen litteratur, billedkunst og musikk fra 1600-tallet til vårt eget århundre. Oslo: Tiden norsk forlag. p. 201.
4. "Reisen til julestjernen (1976)". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
5. "Journey to the Christmas Star (2012)". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2020.