Astrid Lindgren’s classic about the Brothers Lionheart has captivated generations of readers since its release in 1973. Few stories provide such a beautiful and profound depiction of sibling love and children’s encounters with death.
The story follows the brothers Jonathan and Karl – also known as "Skorpan" (Ruskit in some translations). They share a deep bond, but Karl suffers from a severe illness, and both know his life will soon end. Jonathan reassures him that death isn’t frightening, explaining that when you die, you go to Nangijala – the land of stories and campfires beyond the stars. But Karl fears making the journey alone.
And he doesn’t have to.
Jonathan travels to Nangijala first. There, the two brothers live together in Cherry Valley, in a cozy little house. They swim in the river, catch trout, and ride magnificent horses across the landscape. But not everything in Nangijala is idyllic. The evil Tengil has cast a shadow over the land, threatening its freedom. The brothers must unite in a fight for good, and Karl must overcome his fear and find his courage. This is easier said than done when Tengil commands a fire-breathing dragon. But as Karl says: “There are things you simply have to do. Otherwise, you’re not a human being – just a little nothing.”
Under the direction of Miriam Prestøy Lie, we present a touching and thrilling family performance of this timeless classic. The Brothers Lionheart is a collaboration between Theater Vestland and Den Nationale Scene. Prestøy Lie has previously found great success with children’s productions like The Midsummer Wasp at Det Vestnorske Teateret and The Little Match Girl at Theater Vestland.
Performance length: 1 hour and 50 minutes (including intermission).