Nationaltheatret, Oslo

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Walking down the hill from the Palace, I came across the beautiful National Theatre. Out the front is a paved area with many statues of Norway's great playwrights, including Bjornstjerne Bjornson, who also composed the national anthem, and Henrik Ibsen. The garden beds were in full flower and very pretty, and so was the fountain. Lots of people here too!

Some summer performances are in English, nearly all are in Norwegian.

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The beautiful National Theatre of Oslo - Nasjonaltheatret - is Norway´s largest theatre. It is so majestic, right in between The Royal palace - Slottet - and The Norwegian Parliament - Stortinget. These 3 buildings are in my opinion the most beautiful buildings in the center of Oslo.

The theatre opened in 1899 and there are so many beautiful statues around the theatre - the most famous ones, of Henrik Ibsen og Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, are in front by the main entrance.

I didn´t go see a play, although I so wanted to see Thorbjörn Egner´s work, the same plays I went to see here in Iceland as a child, but there never seemed to be the right time to do so, I will definitely do so the next time I visit Oslo, and cannot wait to see what the theatre looks like on the inside.

The theatre building is of course preserved.

Oslo's National Theatre (Nationaltheatret) opened in 1899 and is a nice example of Norwegian architecture.

The building is surrounded by statues of famous authors and actors. The theatre shows mainly Norwegian plays, but also classic and modern works.

Directions:
The National Theatre is located at Stortingsgate 15, and can also be reached from Karl Johans Gate. The nearest metro stop is "Nationaltheatret".

This is the biggest theatre of Norway with the outspeaken ambition that it become a leading theatre in whole Europe. It is situated between the royal palace Slottet and the parliament, Stortinget and is housed in a marvellous building, dating back to the previous two century change. It is easily accessible by metro.

Nationaltheatret has three scenes within that building - namely the Hovedscenen, Amfiscenen and Malersalen, as well as two separate buildings, located in other parts of the city.

The Norwegian national theatre is a synonym of a high quality and good balance berween classicism and contemporary arts without tolerating cynism.

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The National Theatre is one of Norways largest theatres, where many important works of art are performed.

The theatre can trace its origins to the Christiana Theater which was opened in 1829. The current building opened with its first performance in September 1899 and was designed by Henrik Bull.
Apparently the Auditorium is worth seeing. There are also rare portraits of famous artists by some of Norways best known painters including Munch and Krohg.

I'm afraid that I didn't get to see the interior during my visit, but the outside was quite attractive, both the architecture, and the many statues in the surrounding garden, including ones of Norwegian writers Henrik Ibsen and Bjornstjere Bjornson. In the photo below is a statue commemorating Norwegian actor Per Aabel (1902 -1999)

Almost all of the plays performed are in Norwegian. During the annual Ibsen Festival (Late August -Early September) Plays are presented in the languages of the visiting foreign companies. Some locals refer to this venue as Ibsens Theatre, as most of his plays have been performed here.

Probably the most interesting fact in connection with Ibsen's flat now turned into Ibsen Museum is that every single day of the 11 years he lived here (1895-1906), Ibsen would take the same walk from this house in Arbing's gate to his favourite Grand Cafe on Karl Johans gate. This daily Ibsen's promenade which always ended in the same cafe at the same time (12am) was the biggest tourist attraction in Oslo in those days!
On his way down Drammensveien Ibsen could see the most exclusive city area of that time (and truly also today) with fashionable appartment blocks raised between 1870 and 1896, the biggest and most expensive being Victoria terrasse which is now a block with high-market shops and cafes just below the "7. juni plassen" where a very modernist statue of King Haakon VII (the husband of Queen Maud which you saw in Slottsparken) rises high.
Following into Ibsen's footsteps go over to Karl Johans gate and Universitetsplass. Right opposite the University of Oslo main building is the National Theatre (Nasjonaltheatret). Ibsen got to see architect Henrik Bull's impressive building, and even witnessed the statue of himself to be unveiled in front of it in 1899, when the theatre was opened. During his daily walks he would not however be able to take a break at this beautiful fontain (see picture)

Going from Inkognitogata down Drammensveien on the other side of this street you'll soon see Ibsen Museum (at the crossing with Arbinsgate). You may have a look inside even if you do not plan to go to the museum itself, because this was the appartment where Ibsen spent the last 11 years of his life and wrote his two last plays, "John Gabriel Borkman" and "When We dead Awake". If you wish to see the whole appartment with original firniture and virtually everything reconstucted as it was at Ibsen's time, the opening hours are :
24.05.2006-15.09.2006 Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00
16.09.2006-24.05.2007 Tue-Sun 12:00-15:00
Admission is 70 (adults), 45 (students, seniors, groups), 25 (children), 0 with Oslo Pass

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The nice National Theatre was built in 1899, when Henrik Ibsen died. It has got a fantastic pit built in Rococò style. Outside the theatre you can see the stautes of the most famous Norwegian composers: Ibsen and Bjornson.

Near the Karl Johans Gate is the National Theatre, flanked by the statues of the Norway's most famous writers Henri Ibsen and Bjornstjerne Bjornson. Around the theatre there are also a beautiful fountain and a place to meet people.

Walking past the Dom Kirche and continuing on Karl Johans Gate you will soon find the National Theater. This picture was taken from the back of the theater. You can click on the thumbnail for a larger clearer picture.

The theater was inaugurated in 1899. In the front of the theater, but not pictured due to a bad photo on my part, is a statue of Henrick Ibsen. Many of his plays were originally presented at this theater.