As apart of an exchange project started by Danute Vaigauskaite (NEATA), the Norwegian theatre/dance group "Cap à Pied" from Oslo, and the Lithuanian group "Valiant theatre" from Siauliai were to meet in each others country to perform their respective performances of "Mio, my Mio" in the winter/spring of 2004. Even more importantly the children from the two groups were to have a unique opportunity to visit another country, and learn about its people, culture and tradition, and at the same time make new friends.
The trip to Lithuania was financed by the Nordic Amateur theatre Association (NARR), and the Norwegian Amateur theatre Association (NAT) and the by the group and the children, while the Norwegian production was financed by Norsk Kulturråd, and the local city government of Kjelsås Grefsen, and ticket revenues.
In the beginning of March this year a group of 15 children between 12 and 16, 4 pedagogues, one head of theatre, and 10 parents traveled to Siauliai, Lithuania via Klaipeda, staying for five days and showing two performances of Mio, my Mio by Astrid Lindgren.
The first performance in the "mokomasis theatre" in the University of Klaipeda was welcomed very warmly by the audience mainly consisting mainly of Lithuanian students and members of staff from the theatre department, in spite of some technical problems and in spite of the performance being done entirely in Norwegian. After the performance the group was taken to the city of Siauliai in Valiant theatre's bus, and already here the children form our two groups made thir first attempt at exchange or "cultural barter" singing songs on the bus. After a reception with a delicious buffet, entertainment and more songs and dances the Norwegian children went along with thir Lithuanian host families to spend their first night in a Lithuanian home. Everyone was much exited, maybe also a little nervous, but this was soon overcome by the hospitality, typical of Lithuani, that we were received with.
Our children were a bit worried that we would run into language problems, but in most European countries today schools start very early with teaching English, and Lithuania is no exception from this. Of course there was some initial shyness, but after a few days we were all communicating without any inhibitions. When it came to our performances it proved not to be a problem. In my experience most performances are easy to "read" even if you don't understand a word- this is some of the magic of theatre, and both groups, had worked with a very physical and visual form which was easy to follow for the audience in both countries. What's more interesting is that not understanding the words, allows you to concentrate on other things for instance the acting, the scenography, the music and the lights- which to me as a director as important as the text. A practical solution that we had in Siauliai was that the Lithuanian group performed their version before the Norwegian, familiarizing the audience with the story.
It was a very interesting experience to see the two performances like this, and notice similarities and differences. The Valiant theatre has a very visual symbolistic style, while "cap a Pied" works with dance and movement, and in this production worked speciafically with acting technique and a technique called "band mimée" which allowed us to make use of all actors throughout the performance, as moveable scenography. We found it a great inspiration to see other solutions to the same story.
After our performances it was time to relax a bit more and experience more of Siauliai and Lithuania. We were able to visit the local culture centre and watch some of the projects that go on there, aswell as attend a local talent show, visit the "hill of crosses", and visit Vilnius where we were swallowed up by the masses of people and stalls which were there to celebrate one of Lithuanias most interesting "fests" which celebrates the coming of spring".
One of the most valuable experiences that our two groups had from this project is to understand how people live in other countries, to see both similarities and differences. Theatre was our common bond that brought us together, and the theatre is both a tool to open people up to each other through exercises and cooperation, and for cultural exchange. In the theatre we meet as the equals that we really are, regardless of economical, political, or religious differences.
All our group, children, parents and teachers had a fantastic time in Lithuania. At the time when we were about to leave and say goodbye to our new friends, we found that this was a very touching moment for all of us, and we were very happy that it wouldn't be long before we would meet again. In six weeks the "valiant theatre" would come to Norway to visit us, and in the mean time we would stay in touch on e-mail.
In retrospect, after the groups also have met here in Oslo, for four days full of performances, workshops, sightseeing and socializing, I want to thank Danute Vaigauskaite, Virgis and Dale Dargiene for our co-operation. After one year of planning and countless e-mails, we made a very successful project which hopefully can inspire for more cooperation between our own groups, but also among other Nordic amateur theatre groups in the future.
Sincerely,
Ine Therese Berg,
director "Mio, my Mio" project.