From the webpage of The Norwegian Ambassee in Corea:
www.norway.or.kr
Hinsides Hekneby/Pedersen stages play in Changwon
06/08/2007 :: The sound of a knife being sharpened and the unmistakable shriek of a pig transport us to a prison cell inhabited by a man in white and a man in black. Thus starts the play "Awaiting the Slaughterhouse" by Geir Magne Pedersen, which represented Norway at the 28th AITA/IATA International Theatre Festival 2007, in Changwon, Gyongnam Province.
The play is Mr. Pedersen's second to be performed onstage. His framework is that of the Le Théâtre de l'Absurde, which reflects or criticises the meaningless in human life. Mr. Pedersen himself emphasises the way we human beings communicate; even when trying to explain important things we get lost in relatively minor details. Not only does this make real exchanges difficult, but it also hinders the ability of a third person or observer to readily understand what is being discussed. Each observing member of the audience is thus forced to make interpretations about the story unfolding onstage.
The two inmates, black and white, have done something extremely stupid. Instead of dealing with it directly they spend their time with all sorts of imaginary activities. The nature of their crime seems to take a distant second place to their continuous nagging about the meal that was consumed prior to the crime itself. It is, it seems, unclear whether the stupid action was having the meal or committing the crime. As part of their discussions the audience is led through a game of baseball, sumo wrestling, a chess-game with only one piece, bullfighting, and dreams of pardons and women.
Coming from Steigen, a small town in Northern Norway of about 2,700 inhabitants, the theatre group Hinsides Hekneby/Pedersen is based on a deep passion for theatre, an experimental outlook, and a healthy portion of friendship and communitarian spirit. The eight men and women were delighted and humble about being the selected representative of Norway at this prestigious festival. Particularly excited was Morgan Nygård who teaches the Korean martial art Taekwondo back in his hometown.
Awaiting the slaughterhouse was performed in front of about 200 spectators at Sungsan Art Hall in Changwon. Due to the philosophy of the group that theatre should be able to be played anywhere, this was actually the first time to have the play staged in a proper theatrehouse. Previous venues include an abandoned barn and ironically also an old slaughterhouse. Theatre groups in Germany and Russia are planning to soon stage Mr. Pedersen's plays. The 2011 IATA/AITA World Congress and International Theatre Festival is to be held in Tromsø, Norway.
Hinsides Hekneby/Pedersen: Erling Hekneby (actor), Geir Magne Pedersen (playwright, actor), Andreas Altermark (director), Bjørge Susæg Stafsnes (best boy), Klaus Bø (orchestra), Morgan Nygård (gaffer/lights), Liv Eli Altermark (design), Torunn Baade Ålstad (tour manager).
Joon Grane Hetland
