2020 curated performing arts for children and youth
danishplus.dk
THE SELECTED SHOWS 8 Aaben Dans | Ai-Ai-Ai 10 hvid støj sceneproduktion | [Box][Up] 12 Den Jyske Opera | HeartBeat 14 Teatret Fair Play | In the Still Depths of the Forest 16 Teatret De Røde Heste | Ivalu’s First Song 18 Black Box Dance Company | No Sex – A World of Gender 20 Teater Patrasket | Pinocchio 22 Teater Refleksion | Romeo and Juliet 24 Teatret Gruppe 38 / Teatret Møllen / teater2tusind / Carte Blanche | Suppose you had a portable gramophone 26 Teater O | Tango 28 DON GNU – Physical Theatre & Film | WALK-MAN 30 Teater Blik | What If...
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DANISH PERFORMING ARTS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE DANISH+ is an international showcase presenting some of the best of contemporary professional Danish performing arts for children and youth. The showcase takes place every second year, where theatre representative from around the world are invited to the lovely city of Aarhus, Denmark to experience some of the finest and most outstanding Danish performing arts for children and youth. We look forward to seeing you at the next live edition of the showcase in May 2022.
THE SELECTED WORK In this catalogue you can find details for all the selected performances for the 2020edition. The selected work consists of 12 new shows representing some of the finest Danish performing arts for children and young people. The process of selecting the presented work is based on one sole parameter: quality Along with quality, Danish performing arts for children and youth is widely acclaimed for creating and conceptualizing the genre and its productions from an uncompromising and genuine artistic concern. The Danish productions also aim for intense and intimate dialogue on several levels between stage and audience – the latter often with a size of less than 100 spectators. All performances are either nonverbal or translated into English and suitable for international touring.
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GREETINGS FROM BODIL ALLING
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DANISH+ & TEATRET GRUPPE 38
Because of a sudden worldwide disaster, we didn’t meet at DANISH+ 2020. And what a lot of other wonderful Festivals around in the world where we didn’t meet either. It’s a sad time for meetings. But I think I learned how connected we are even though we are far away from each other. I have spoken to a lot of you wonderful colleagues all over, and I understand that we are all trapped and cut off from most of all the things that we love and live for. I guess we all have a wish to find the best of all worlds, don’t we? We seek our whole lives. Move by uncertain roads from one point to the next. This takes courage, help and a large amount of imagination. Courage, because we have to move along paths we do frail individually, and imagination to make ourselves believe that we can succeed and go on, even though the help is so small at times – that it is hard to believe.
And in all our struggles WE NEED ART. At DANISH+ we present performances, which can be seen by all age groups. Because the themes and artistic solutions are global and existential. What a pleasure it would have been to invite you to see two good handfuls of high-leveled Danish performances, have many discussions between us because we come from different cultures, conditions, religions and artistic habits, and because we all are so strongly dedicated to Theatre. Let’s hope that it will be possible to meet again. Soon. Somewhere. Hopefully also at DANISH+ in May 2022. I wish you all a good life.
Bodil Alling, Teatret Gruppe 38
PHOTO: Morten Fauerby 5
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THEATRES & PERFORMANCES THE SELECTED SHOWS 2020
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Aaben dans
ai-ai-ai!
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About the performance
About the theatre
A HUMOROUS PERFORMANCE ABOUT BODY AND TECHNOLOGY What do you do if you want to play with someone who prefers to play games on a screen instead of with you? When are you really together with someone? And what if the person you spend time with actually is a machine?
AABEN DANS is a regional dance theatre based in Roskilde, Denmark. The theatre produces two new performances every year, at least one of which is for young audiences. Aaben Dans curates and arranges the biannual international dance festival SWOP for young audiences.
In a physical and humorous way, the three performers investigate a world filled with screens, artificial intelligence and human contact.
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: From 6 years DURATION: 45 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: (Few words) English, German, French & Danish TRAVEL PARTY: 4 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 9 × 10 × 3 GET IN: 2 hours GET OUT: 45 minutes
CONTACT Theater Director: Lisbeth Klixbüll Mail: mail@aabendans.dk Telephone: +45 35820610 WEBSITE: www.aabendans.dk
PHOTO: Ditte Valente 9
hvid støj sceneproduktion
[Box][up]
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About the performance
About the theatre
CARDBOARS BOXES AREN’T ONLY CARDBOARD BOXES. THEY CREATE WORLDS!
The artistic trademark of hvid støj sceneproduktion is engaging and visual theatre experiences with a twinkle in the eye.
Row in the waves and salty sea-air and experience an abundant forest growing right in front of you, before it in an instant, transforms into a new landscape. Hide in giant cardboard boxes or build with tiny cardboard blocks – but keep an eye out for the mischievous friend’s attempt to topple the tower!
The theater’s repertoire covers all ages from 5 months to 18 years. hvid støj sceneproduktion is run by Artistic Leader and Director Charlotte Ladefoged.
Together with the cardboard boxes, the two performers build universes in the finest and sprightliest manner. Together with the audience they explore the endless possibilities of play. The nature of play is imaginative, wondrous and ever-changing. Only imagination can limit the play and where it takes us! Will you follow? Supported by sensuous music, [boX] [Up] offers a qualitative experience that stimulates the whole sensory apparatus and reminds grown-ups the importance of play to understand the world. “There is contagious fantasy, presence and musicality in the performance (...) There are experiences for the whole spectrum of children’s ages, and excellent sensory stimuli for adults, too” Teateravisen
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: From 5 month to 5 years DURATION: 35 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: Nonverbal TRAVEL PARTY: 4 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 6,5 × 9,5 × 3,5 GET IN: 2,5 hours GET OUT: 1 hour
CONTACT Artistic Director: Charlotte Ladefoged Mail: charlotte@hvid-stoj.dk WEBSITE: www.hvid-stoj.dk
PHOTO: hvid støj sceneproduktion 11
den jyske opera
heartbeat
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About the performance
About the theatre
We open the door to the world of opera on the terms of the very young children
Den Jyske Opera is Denmark’s national touring opera company, presenting both traditional and innovative opera for all ages, tastes and experiences all over Denmark. The theatre has created productions of the highest artistic quality since 1947.
Babies, toddlers and their accompanying adults are invited to join a poetic and gentle musical journey. A holistic experience, where relationships are created, and all senses are put into play. Both big and small settle on soft cushions between exciting objects, along with two opera singers and two musicians, and the adventure can begin. The children’s interaction in the moment is an essential part of the experience, and the language is both Danish and English, babyspeak and, not least, the language of the heart. The last part of the performance invites free play in the set and playful meetings with the four performers. A very special first meeting with opera where all senses are caressed. “The performance is warmly recommended to all – both small and big” Århus Stiftstidende “Hurry up and see it, if you have a child between 0-2½ years and want an experience that will enrich you as well as your child” Den 4. væg “A success for both babies and parents” jcklassisk.dk “A unity of calm, changeability, and liveliness” Teateravisen
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: 0-2½ years DURATION: 45 min. incl. 15 min. free play afterwards LANGUAGE: No words SONGS IN: English, Danish, Baby words TRAVEL PARTY: 6-7 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 8 × 7 × 3,5 GET IN: 2,5 hours GET OUT: 1,5 hour
CONTACT Producer: Birgitte Holt Nielsen Mail: bhn@jyske-opera.dk Telephone: +45 23642613 WEBSITE: www.denjyskeopera.dk
PHOTO: Kåre Viemose 13
Teatret fair play
IN THE STILL DEPTHS OF THE FOREST
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About the performance
About the theatre
A PERFORMANCE ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S THOUGHTS CONCERNING TAKING YOUR OWN LIFE
Teatret FAIR PLAY create plays showing the world as it is here and now. Quality work with resonance and meaning and a broad repertoire: From the epic and dramatic, to the musical and poetic. The theatre focus on new writing and on the telling of a good story.
Mira was only 13 years old – when she took her own life. She left: a Mother, a Father, a Brother, a Cat and two Guinea Pigs, a Big Family, Classmates. And a 69 pages long Diary. Mira’s diary is the foundation for a visual and auditive performance, where the audience is invited into Mira’s universe to meet her and listen to her thoughts about herself and her world. Thoughts we might all have but also reflections with a destructive and potentially deadly character. Almost 13 % of all 15-year-olds have thoughts about suicide – and still it is a big taboo in our society. Many young people with these thoughts say that it helps just to have someone to listen to you. It is essential for them to be heard. Mira did not share her thoughts in time with anybody. We hope this performance will help others to have the courage to do that. And to not feel ashamed. “At the heart of it, the young actress Isa Marie Henningsen gives a moving and vulnerable voice to the 13-year-old Mira Mobeck’s diary entries in the time up to her suicide. (...) intense and serious theatre about depression and suicide” Information “... when Isa Marie Henningsen goes out to one of the young people in the audience and asks them if she can hold their hand, her question is answered as if it’s the most natural in the world by a single outstretched hand. As if promising to all in the room, that if you just ask for help, you can reach so much more” Kulturmor
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: From 13 years DURATION: 60 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: English & Danish TRAVEL PARTY: 4 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 9 × 12 × 4 GET IN: 2,5 hours GET OUT: 2 hours
CONTACT Theater Director: Robert Parr Mail: rob@fairplay.dk Telephone: +45 21775152 WEBSITE: www.fairplay.dk
PHOTO: David Trood 15
de røde heste
ivalu’s first song
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About the performance
About the theatre
The arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen wrote in Across Arctic America that “... songs are thoughts, sung out with the breath, when people are moved by big force and no longer can be content with ordinary speech (...) When the words that we need sprout up by themselves (...) we get a new song”
De Røde Heste was founded by Claus Mandøe 30 years ago, with special focus on dramatized storytelling – a choice that has been visible in the repertoire of the theatre throughout the years. De Røde Heste travels all over the world.
Ivalu’s First Song is the story about a small heroine who creates her very first song and by that saves her family. It is about courage and about how things sometimes appear on their own, when most needed. And about doing what you are absolutely not allowed to – when necessary! “The tale about Greenlandic Ivalu and her first song is exorbitantly beautiful in both form and content ... With a complete overview and tremendous dramatic energy, he spellbinds his audience and drags in their attention in a marvelous – and a marvelously beautiful story” Teateravisen
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: From 6 years DURATION: 40 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: English & Danish TRAVEL PARTY: 1-2 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 8 × 12 × 2,7 GET IN: 2 hours GET OUT: 1 hour
CONTACT Claus Mandøe Mail: mail@deroedeheste.dk Telephone: +45 27143298 WEBSITE: www.deroedeheste.dk
PHOTO: Jane Vorre & Birgitte Kjøller 17
black box dance company
no sex – a world of gender
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About the performance
About the theatre
With everything from razor sharp precision, tumultuous speed and tender sensitivity NO SEX – a world of gender will trigger, entertain and stir up reflection. In a clinically white space, four dancers charge forward in fashion-inspired costumes, allowing the audience to observe and study their every move as they seduce, delight and confuse them all at the same time. The performance exaggerates, exposes and challenges the authenticity of the many definitions, boxes and stereotypes imposed on us, both by ourselves and external forces. A powerful dance performance that comes close to the audience, while using both humor, earnestness and beauty to allow space for ponder and contemplation.
Black Box Dance Company is a professional dance company based in Holstebro.
“Funny, sexy, ironic dance performance. Entertaining and relevant” H H H HH XQ28 “Breathtaking and enthralling. Funny, intimate and relevant” H H H HH Den 4. væg “Seductive and flawless. As uplifting as it is stimulating” H H H HHH CPH Culture
The company consists of professional dancers from all over Europe with strong technical, artistic and performative skills. The common denominator of each dancer is that they are all at the start of their career, having recently completed their formal education and acquired only a couple of years of experience as professional dancers. Focusing on high artistic quality, the company has managed to gain a wide audience as well as recognition for its work, nationally and internationally.
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: From 12 years DURATION: 45 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: Nonverbal TRAVEL PARTY: 7 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 9 × 9 GET IN: 5 hours GET OUT: 1 hour
CONTACT Producer: David Cornelius Price Mail: dcp@musikteatret.dk Telephone: +45 5353 6010 WEBSITE: www.black-box-theatre-and-dance.dk
PHOTO: Søgaard Film 19
Teater patrasket
pinocchio
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About the performance
About the theatre
What is the definition of being human? What is the difference between right and wrong? What is the meaning of love? A new version of Carlo Collodis classic story – for the 8 to 12 year olds: About a puppet who has to learn to become human and his dangerous journey in a world full of odd characters, wondrous events, temptations and deceptions. A wild, visual and musical show, directed by Alex Byrne, with magical puppetry, ensemble play and grim humor.
Teater Patrasket is a well-known traveling theatre from Copenhagen. They make theatre for children, but first and foremost for human beings. A theatre based on playfulness, physicality, visuality and appealing stories. They wish to deal with the important issues of life with empathy and a gentle touch of humor.
“... Alex Byrne’s energetic staging almost makes you dizzy ... a shuddering, poetic journey with only a father’s unconditional love as a compass” Teateravisen
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: 8-12 years DURATION: 60 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: English & Danish TRAVEL PARTY: 4 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 8 × 7 × 3,5 GET IN: 2,5 hours GET OUT: 1,5 hour
CONTACT Theater Director: Dirck Backer Mail: teater@patrasket.dk Telephone: +45 40748073 WEBSITE: www.patrasket.dk
PHOTO: Søren Meisner 21
Teater refleksion
romeo and juliet
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About the performance
About the theatre
Teater Refleksion interprets one of the world’s most iconic classics to tell the story of Romeo and Juliet, whose love would not yield to fear, prejudice and power. Though the story of Romeo and Juliet is tragic, the message remains full of hope for the future: Because strongest of all is love! Staged as (almost) wordless puppet theatre, it opens up to the severe and sometimes heavy themes by using humor, surprise, drama and deadly seriousness. It takes full use of the magic of puppet theatre using skillful puppeteering to allow the elegant and expressive puppets to break the boundaries of the realistic realm. The puppets jump higher than life, loose their head, quite literately, and their arms suddenly reach out the full length of the stage. It resembles the lightness of playing in order to tell the story of Romeo and Juliet from 8 years and up. It is a show for the keen to experience, for the curious of mind and childish at heart.
Teater Refleksion creates performances for children and adults alike. During the past 30 years the theatre has created a unique knowledge and skills in puppetry and animation theatre. The performances are created in an intense production work where every detail and every movement is refined and perfected in order to create the illusion that the puppet has life.
“It does not only re-tell Shakespeare’s classic as a child friendly tale ... It simply tells the whole cruel tragedy in a way that the children understand” Teateravisen
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: 8-12 years DURATION: 40 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: Very little language. Available in English, Spanish, German and more TRAVEL PARTY: 4 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 8 × 11 × 3,5 GET IN: 2 hours GET OUT: 1 hour
CONTACT Producer: Lisbeth El Jørgensen Mail: lisbeth@refleksion.dk Telephone: +45 86240534 WEBSITE: www.reflektion.dk
PHOTO: Bo Amstrup 23
Teatret gruppe 38 / Teatret møllen / teater2tusind / carte blanche
SUPPOSE YOU HAD A PORTABLE GRAMOPHONE
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About the performance
About the theatre
A LOVING GREETING TO KAREN BLIXEN Suppose you had clubfoot. Then you could stand on one leg and see much higher. Suppose we didn’t exist. Then nobody could find us. Suppose you had a portable gramophone. Where would you take it. In a tiny village, far north, lives a small group of people in brown dresses and black coats. They look down mostly. And because they look down, they have nothing to talk about and nothing to long for.
Teatret Gruppe 38 is a prizewinning theatre located in the city of Aarhus, Denmark and led by the artistic director, writer and actress Bodil Alling. The theatre strives to create intimate, thoughtful and poetic theatre, for children and adults. Teatret Gruppe 38 also organizes and co-organizes a number of festivals and biennales – including the showcase DANISH +.
But then there’s Viola. She keeps herself to herself; she looks down and tries to sing very quietly in church on Sundays. She is dreaming and yearning and asks a hundred questions. This is a story about Viola. “Maybe this is the best Danish theatre you can experience right now ... This performance is just theatre – magnificent theatre” H H H HHH Jyllandsposten “Fragile and beautiful at the same time – a very great performance” H H H HHH Den 4. væg “A little whimsical miracle that no one ought to miss out on!” H H H HHH CPHCulture
PHOTO: Søren Hasselgaard Skaaning
Teatret Møllen is based in Haderslev in the south of Denmark. Their performances are known for their characteristic visual aesthetic and illusory atmosphere with catchy music, subtle composition, and an unusual narrative style. Teater2tusind makes small shows for small audiences. Focusing on the acting and the music they aim to establish a close contact with each kid. Carte Blanche, led by artistic director Sara Topsøe-Jensen is working in the field between theatre and installation where the staging and space unfold their own performative effect.
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: From 8 years DURATION: 45 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGE: English & Danish TRAVEL PARTY: 5 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 8 × 6 × 5 GET IN: 2 hours GET OUT: 1 hour
CONTACT Producer: Marianne Greve Iversen Mail: mgi@gruppe38.dk Telephone: +45 20 12 84 95 WEBSITE: www.gruppe38.dk | www.teatretmoellen.dk www.cblanche.dk | www.teater2tusind.dk 25
Teater o
tango
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About the performance
About the theatre
An adventurous tale of daring to be oneself
The brand of Teater O is primarily the good, funny and touching stories. And above all, it is about the fluid natural dialogue, word-ofmouth, that moves children and adults of all ages.
A man is trying to make the pieces of his family history fall into place. Who was his great-grandfather? Why did the family never talk about him? And what really happened to him when he disappeared to Argentina? In his grandmother’s loft, he finds an old suitcase which brings him closer to the deepest secret of his family. And he discovers why no one ever dances in his family. In a performance full of music, an Argentinian tango guitarist and a Danish actor tell a story about choosing yourself and following your passion. And about a great-grandfather from whom you could probably learn something. If you dare! “All in the audience sat captivated and swallowed every word and every dance move – and several of us got busy with the handkerchiefs afterwards. TANGO is truly a surprisingly beautiful soul journey. Intertwined in the finest dramaturgy” Teateravisen “A simultaneity of fragility and strength rays out of Lars Dammark when he, as an actor, superbly tells and plays both great-grandson and great-grandfather” Århus Stiftstidende
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: 11-111 years DURATION: 55 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: English & Danish TRAVEL PARTY: 2 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 7 × 7 × 3 GET IN: 2 hours GET OUT: 45 minutes
CONTACT Performer and Artistic Director: Lars Dammark Mail: lars.dammark@gmail.com Telephone: +45 28103702 WEBSITE: www.teatero.dk
PHOTO: Sophia Juliane Lydolph 27
don gnu – physical theatre & film
walk-man
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About the performance
About the theatre
YOU WILL NEVER CROSS THE STREET IN THE SAME WAY AGAIN! DON GNU digs into the tediousness of everyday routines in search of poetry and humor in a performance with muscular physicality and edgy stunt tricks. One ordinary day, four ordinary men take a walk through a city. They readily follow unwritten and strict rules of good behavior and norms of social etiquette until one of them suddenly decides to rebel ... With trademark DON GNU “everyday stunts” and raw physicality, WALK-MAN is a performance in which the ground is literally swept away from under the feet of four men walking. In a world where rules, norms and routines no longer apply, a pedestrian is not simply a person crossing the street and common understanding of “good behavior” falls apart. You will never cross the street in the same way again! WALK-MAN is the first performance of a trilogy about the extraordinary experiences of ordinary life.
DON GNU – Physical Theatre & Film is an artistic collaboration that focuses on dance and physical theatre. The company was founded in 2010 by the two choreographers Jannik Elkær and Kristoffer Louis Andrup Pedersen, who also constitute the artistic duo at the helm of DON GNU.
H H H HH Århus Stiftstidende H H H HHH Scenekanten H H H HHH XQ28 H H H HH Kulturnyt
Today the company is one of the most touring companies in Denmark. In addition to extensive tour activities in Denmark, DON GNU has also toured in all the Nordic Countries, South Korea, Canada, big parts of Europe and Cuba.
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: From 12 years DURATION: 60 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: Few words spoken. Adjustable for several language TRAVEL PARTY: 7 people MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 8 × 8 × 4 GET IN: 8 hours GET OUT: 1 hour – also available in an smaller outdoor version with three performers.
CONTACT International Producer: Malene Cathrine Pedersen Mail:malene@dongnu.dk Telephone: +45 22155818 WEBSITE: www.dongnu.dk
PHOTO: Christoffer Brekne 29
teaterblik
what if...
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About the performance
About the theatre
A performance about balance, possibility and consequence for 1 to 6-year-olds Balancing planks, shifting weights, a turning ball, elastics, strings and a stick. A performer plays with the challenges posed the space around her, the law of gravity, balance and our ability to build things up and take them apart, to investigate, dream and play.
teaterBlik is a theatre company founded in 2007 under the artistic leadership of Gertrud Exner.
“A beautiful minimalistic performance full of humor and presence. The simple elements are developing from abstracts patterns into forms from daily life; a big house, a small house, a tiny house. With big precision and calmness, sticks, pullets, planks and strings are placed with just the right timing to let the tension grow, leaving space for wonderful little thrills. Even though this is a solo performance, the objects are like willing partners that finally turn into a beautiful installation” Teateravisen
The company aims to establish a platform for innovative theatre for children and adults. The vision is a strongly visual, sensorial and musical form of expression that combines drama, object-theatre, dance and music.
PRACTICALITIES AGE GROUP: 1-6 years DURATION: 30 min. AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: English, German, French & Danish TRAVEL PARTY: 1 person MINIMUM STAGE (W, D, H): 7 × 4 × 3 GET IN: 1,5 hours GET OUT: 45 minutes
CONTACT Theater Director: Gertrud Exner Mail: mail@teaterblik.dk Telephone: +45 27826466 WEBSITE: www.teaterblik.dk
PHOTO: Bart Kootstra 31
CONTACT DANISH + Secretariat c/o Teatret Gruppe 38 Irma Pedersens Gade 222 | DK-8000 Aarhus C producer: Malene Cathrine Pedersen | +45 22 15 58 18 | info@danishplus.dk danishplus.dk
TEATRET GRUPPE 38 The showcase is initiated and organized by the professional theatre; Teatret Gruppe 38 – a professional and prizewinning theatre, which has existed since 1972. The theatre is placed in the city of Aarhus in Denmark and is led by the artistic leader, writer and actor Bodil Alling. The theatre strives to create intimate, thoughtful and poetic theatre, for nearly all ages. Teatret Gruppe 38 has an extensive tour-programme, in Denmark and abroad. Amongst other countries, the theatre has been visiting Australia, Croatia, Norway, Canada, USA, Germany, Estonia, Scotland and Japan.
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ORGANIZERS & SPONSORS DANISH + is organized and produced by:
Artistic Director: Bodil Alling, Teatret Gruppe 38 Producer: Malene Cathrine Pedersen
DANISH + is presented in cooperation with:
Graphic design: Randi Schmidt / randis.dk
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DANISH + is produced and organized by Teatret Gruppe 38 visit danishplus.dk
