About us

«I'm impressed that Hålogaland Teater is already such a good theatre», critic Ivan Kristoffersen expressed in the local newspaper after the theatre's first première, The Threepennyopera by Brecht and Weill in 1971. Although there were only 16 people in the audience on the first night, this was the beginning of the theatre's rich and varied activity in northern Norway, as Hålogaland Theatre became the first professional theatre company in the region.

Writer and teacher Lars Berg had been fighting for a North Norwegian theatre for almost 30 years before he finally succeeded in 1971. His main idea was to establish a professional company that would use the local dialects on stage. The intention was of course to be close to the audience, both in terms of location and in language. The small group of pioneers from 1971 actually received quite feeble response until they started performing in the local dialect, and the northern dialects are still used in most of Hålogaland Theatre's productions.

In the beginning, Hålogaland Theatre consisted of eight actors and two technicians, but there was no stage to perform on. The newly founded company had to rent different spaces in Tromsø, and moved several times in the course of few years. An old margarine factory was amongst the places used as a makeshift theatre space. With cramped workshops and no dressing-rooms, the working conditions were poor for craftsmen and technicians as well as for the actors. In 1984, Hålogaland Theatre moved into the new venue Kulturhuset, a multipurpose arts centre.

One of Hålogaland Theatre's most important aims has always been to be close to the people of the North in every possible way. In northern Norway, long distances and a widely spread population necessitates going on tour to reach the rural population outside Tromsø. When planning a new production, the theatre always has in mind the touring-conditions of this challenging area.

Besides using the local dialects on stage, the company also tries to be close to the audience in terms of subject. In the 1970s, Hålogaland Theatre, like many other theatres, was strongly committed to dealing with social and political problems in society. Today, the company is not as committed to politics anymore, but it still aims to reflect the pulse of society. Diversity is a core value, which Hålogaland Theatre strives to sustain through performing the classics as well as contemporary Norwegian drama, plays for children alongside musicals or tragedies, and by working with experienced artists as well as young actors.

Today, Hålogaland Theatre employs about 50 people, including administration, technical departments and artistic personnel. Since summer 2005, the theatre has had its own building, officially inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen of Norway on November 5th. With three theatres of different sizes, large workshops, bright and modern dressing-rooms and spacious public areas, the company has everything they ever dreamt of. We hope that the improved working conditions will help to increase both quality and quantity of our performances, without losing the good connection to the audiences in the north. Aurora Borealis and Ibsen clearly seem to be a successful combination!


24. November 2005
Anika Mackenroth and Kjetil Falkum
Hålogaland Theatre